Home > > Press Releases 2023 > NJBPU Launches Year Four of Charge Up New Jersey, the State’s Electric Vehicle Incentive Program
| For Immediate Release: | Contact: Peter Peretzman |
| Date: 07/12/2023 | 609-900-5626 |
Trenton, NJ—July 12, 2023—The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) today announced the launch of Year Four of the state’s popular Charge Up New Jersey electric vehicle (EV) incentive program. NJBPU also opened the next application window for the State’s three EV charging incentive programs: Clean Fleet, Multi-Unit Dwelling (MUD), and Electric Vehicle Tourism, each with new enhancements, including incentives for non-profit organizations. The programs launched today.
“As we enter Year Four of Charge Up New Jersey, we will continue to establish EVs as an affordable and accessible option for all residents, regardless of their income or zip code,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “In order to remain on track to meet our bold emissions reduction goals, we must ensure that cost constraints and range anxiety no longer pose formidable obstacles for our hard-working families. By investing in electric vehicle affordability and charger access – in addition to enhancing incentives for EVs with lower price points – we will provide every New Jerseyan with an opportunity to reap the full economic and environmental benefits of our transition to a 100 percent clean energy economy.”
“These four programs are some of the most popular and successful programs in our clean energy portfolio,” said NJBPU President Joseph L. Fiordaliso. “More communities and residents are making the switch to EVs to reduce our carbon footprint, fight climate change, and create a healthier environment. Increasing access to EV chargers in all communities and helping to bring down the cost of electric vehicles is essential to providing equitable access to clean transportation for all New Jerseyans.”
Today’s announcement represents another step forward in the growth of the already very successful Charge Up New Jersey EV incentive program. In the first three years of the Program, the State provided incentives for more than 16,000 vehicles.
In Year Three, the State adjusted the rules of the program to provide enhanced incentives for EVs with a lower price point to encourage moderate-income buyers to consider EVs. In Year Four, the State will provide incentives of up to $4,000 for vehicles with a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) under $45,000 and incentives of up to $1,500 for vehicles with an MSRP between $45,001 and $55,000.
At the end of 2022, there were 91,560 electric vehicles on the road in New Jersey according to data kept by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. These figures represent a major increase in the number of New Jerseyans driving EVs and a major decrease in greenhouse gas emissions.
The Charge Up Residential Charger Program complements the Charge Up New Jersey program by providing a $250 rebate for approved chargers. That program remains open in FY2024.
Today, NJBPU also opened the application window for its three infrastructure incentive programs. These are the state and local government Clean Fleet vehicles and charger, EV Tourism charger, and the Multi-Unit Dwelling (MUD) charger programs. The application for each of the programs will be open through November 30, 2023.
The Clean Fleet program provides grants for government and non-profit entities for the purchase of electric vehicles and chargers. This is the first year non-profit entities may participate in the program. The program supports local and state governments and non-profits as they transition their fleets to EVs, encouraging these entities to lead by example. Eligible entities include local schools, municipal commissions, municipalities, state agencies or boards, state commissions, state universities, community colleges, counties, county authorities and non-profit organizations. This year, the Clean Fleet program will also offer, for the first time, a $10,000 incentive for Class 2b-6 vehicles, which may be used for vehicles including garbage trucks, school buses, and shuttle buses. This program can be particularly helpful to governmental and non-profit entities in Environmental Justice communities where emissions have a concentrated impact on residents’ health.
The EV Tourism Charger Program provides incentives for the installation of EV chargers at tourism destinations across the state. Tourism destinations can include hotels, downtowns, parks, and other historical sites. Locations ranging from boardwalks, parks, and other unique attractions, as well as overnight lodging establishments, will have the opportunity to apply for up to six Level-Two chargers and two DC Fast chargers through the program.
The MUD EV Charger Incentive Program encourages owners and operators of MUDs to provide EV chargers for residents and guests. Eligible entities include apartments, condominiums, and mixed residential locations that feature a minimum of five units and have dedicated off-street parking. Ensuring residents of multi-unit dwellings have access to EV charging is an important step to addressing both range anxiety and equity in the transition to electrified transportation.
The FY2024 program offers increased incentive caps based on development size. Further, there is an enhanced incentive for charging stations for MUDs located in an Overburdened Municipality or in a 100 percent deed restricted low-and-moderate income development.
All chargers in the Clean Fleet, MUD and EV Tourism programs must be dual-port, networked chargers that are on a state compliant network, a list of which can be found here. Level 2 chargers that are funded by state programs must be Energy Star compliant.
Under the legislation signed by Governor Murphy in 2020, which created the state’s EV incentive programs, NJBPU will provide at least $30 million in annual incentives for the Charge Up New Jersey program for a period of ten years. In FY2024, the Board has budgeted $12 million for the Clean Fleet Program, $8 million for the EV Tourism Program, and $15 million for the MUD Program.
Residents can find real time updates on available funding for the Charge Up New Jersey EV incentive program at chargeup.njcleanenergy.com
About the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU)
NJBPU is a state agency and regulatory authority mandated to ensure safe, adequate and proper utility services at reasonable rates for New Jersey customers. Critical services regulated by NJBPU include natural gas, electricity, water, wastewater, telecommunications and cable television. The Board has general oversight and responsibility for monitoring utility service, responding to consumer complaints, and investigating utility accidents. To find out more about NJBPU, visit our website at www.nj.gov/bpu.
About New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program (NJCEP)
NJCEP, established on January 22, 2003, in accordance with the Electric Discount and Energy Competition Act (EDECA), provides financial and other incentives to the State's residential customers, businesses and schools that install high-efficiency or renewable energy technologies, thereby reducing energy usage, lowering customers' energy bills and reducing environmental impacts. The program is authorized and overseen by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU), and its website iswww.NJCleanEnergy.com.
