The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) recently issued a request for information on zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. The EDA is looking for input on how to electrify trucks and off-road equipment used at ports, airports and distribution centers. Based on the feedback they receive, the authority will consider how to deploy the charging infrastructure, incentivize a transition to zero-emission equipment in the commercial and industrial sectors.
The Murphy Administration has been aggressive in trying to increase the percentage of electric vehicles in New Jersey. The State joined the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a multi-state carbon cap-and-trade program, and the EDA is planning to spend some of the revenue from the Initiative on trucking electrification.
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) also recently launched its Charge Up New Jersey Program website. The Program provides consumers who purchase or lease eligible plug-in electric vehicles (EVs), after January 17, 2020, with an incentive of up to $5,000 (through the State’s Plug-In Electric Vehicle Incentive Fund).
The EDA’s focus on trucking electrification is a significant step and the latest example of the Murphy Administration’s effort to improve the quality of New Jersey’s air by expanding the use of electric vehicles in the Garden State. These efforts are also in line with New Jersey’s energy master plan, which aims to decarbonize the transportation sector to mitigate the effects of climate change.