Empowering Electric Mobility in the Garden State: New Jersey’s EV Charging Incentives

Last updated: November 16, 2023

New Jersey, often dubbed the Garden State, is not only renowned for its lush landscapes but is now emerging as a frontrunner in the sustainable transportation arena. With a steadfast commitment to reducing emissions, improving air quality, and bolstering the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), New Jersey is taking substantial steps forward. Dive into the wealth of EV charging incentives the state has to offer and discover how they are reshaping the future of transportation.

1. Multi-Unit Dwelling (MUD) Electric Vehicle Program

The State of New Jersey is at the forefront of enhancing residential EV charging infrastructure with the Multi-Unit Dwelling (MUD) Electric Vehicle Program. Designed to improve air quality, bolster transportation electrification, and facilitate EV charging in Multi-Unit Dwellings (MUDs), this initiative offers grants for Level-Two EV charging equipment. To qualify, MUDs must have at least five units with dedicated parking. Extra incentives are available for Overburdened Municipalities and affordable housing. Incentives can reach up to $4,000 for a dual-port EV charger. The process involves purchasing, installing, and submitting for reimbursement but stacking with other state programs is not allowed. 

This program runs until November 30, 2023, or until funds are exhausted. All applications should be submitted to [email protected].

2. Clean Fleet Electric Vehicle Incentive Program

The Clean Fleet Electric Vehicle Incentive Program in New Jersey offers incentives for local and state government and non-profit fleets to adopt electric vehicles (EVs) and charging infrastructure. Eligible entities are local and state government entities, non-profits, schools, etc. Incentives granted may be up to $10,000 for EVs and up to $50,000 for charging stations. Eligible vehicles are Class 6 or lower Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), and eligible charging stations must be Energy Star-certified dual-port chargers with network capability. The deadline for this program is November 30, 2023. For full details and application forms, visit NJ Board of Public Utilities or contact [email protected].

3. Electric Vehicle Tourism Program

The EV Tourism Program is actively providing incentives aimed at fostering electric vehicle (EV) adoption and boosting tourism by investing in EV charging infrastructure at strategic locations throughout New Jersey’s prominent tourism destinations, landmarks, and areas of interest, collectively referred to as “Tourism Areas.” The primary objective of this grant initiative is to lend vital support to local businesses and municipalities situated within these Tourism Areas, facilitating the expansion of EV charging networks. This expansion aligns with New Jersey’s targets for increasing the availability of public and overnight lodging charging locations, as outlined in the EV Act. Ultimately, it aims to alleviate range anxiety for both residents and tourists in the state, creating a comprehensive network of EV chargers across designated corridors and within local communities.

Chargers must be Energy Star-certified and networked. Data sharing is also required and applicants cannot combine funding from other programs. The EV Tourism Program’s selection process involves a review committee, consisting of Board staff, which will assess and score each application based on the information provided. The criteria used for scoring are publicly available, allowing applicants to align their submissions accordingly. All applications are due by t 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on November 30, 2023. 

For more information, visit NJ Board of Public Utilities 

4. JCP&L’s EV Driven Program

JCP&L’s EV Driven Program consists of several sub-programs aimed at significantly expanding the presence of clean electric transportation in JCP&L’s service territory. It seeks to make the transition to EVs more convenient and cost-effective by incentivizing the installation of EV infrastructure in homes and businesses and reducing the overall cost of EV charging. The program is divided into three main sub-programs:

Commercial: Commercial customers can apply for incentives for Public Level 2 charging, Workplace Level 2 charging, or Commercial DC Fast Charging. There’s also a demand charge discount program available for commercial DCFC customers.

Multi-Unit: This part of the program offers incentives for the installation of utility and customer make-ready work on multifamily properties. Enhanced incentives are available for multifamily properties in overburdened communities. JCP&L encourages the installation of a minimum of two and a maximum of ten charging ports per site. A rate credit program for off-peak charging is also available to multifamily customers.

Residential: Residential customers served by JCP&L can benefit from incentives for the installation of utility and customer make-ready work. Additionally, there’s a rate credit program for off-peak charging. Eligibility for the incentive and rate credit programs is limited to customers installing qualified Level 2 EV chargers at residential service addresses within JCP&L’s territory.

These sub-programs collectively aim to make EV adoption more accessible and attractive to a wide range of customers, from businesses to multifamily property owners to residential customers. Apply here.

5. Orange & Rockland Commercial EV Charger Ready Program

The Orange & Rockland Commercial EV Charger Ready Program offers incentives toward the installation of Level 2 (L2) EV charging equipment at sites that have RECO non-residential electric service with a garage or parking area under control. 

Owners or managers of multifamily properties or businesses have the opportunity to significantly reduce the “make ready” costs associated with installing Level 2 or DCFC chargers.These savings can reach as high as 90% for those looking to provide charging options for tenants, customers, employees, or their own fleet of light-duty vehicles.

Commercial customers are eligible for an incentive between 50% and 100% of the eligible make-ready customer sided installation costs (net of other applicable incentives), capped at $9,200 for L2 chargers and $81,000 for DCFC, and between 50% and 100% of the eligible make-ready utility sided installation costs (net of other applicable incentives), capped at $4,400 for L2 chargers and $2,000 for DCFC.

6. Orange & Rockland DCFC Incentive Program

The Orange & Rockland DCFC Incentive Program is here to make the adoption of DC fast charging (DCFC) stations more accessible and cost-effective by alleviating cost barriers and enhancing operational cost-effectiveness.This is achieved through demand charge relief in the short to medium term while station utilization gradually increases to a point where such support can be reduced or eliminated. The program offers annual incentive payments for eligible DCFC plugs, primarily those with a power capacity rating of 50 kW and above. These incentives are designed to cover 75 percent of demand charges. Payments are disbursed annually starting from the equipment’s service initiation and continue until the program concludes on December 18, 2026.

The program is open to both new and existing DCFC plugs, provided they meet specific requirements. These requirements include standardization of DCFC plugs, connection to an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) or smart meter with no additional equipment attached, and participants taking service under a demand-based tariff. Public accessibility and operational functionality must align with defined standards, and the number of eligible plugs is determined by their capability to simultaneously charge at 50 kW or higher.

7. PSE&G EV Charging Program

PSE&G is fostering the growth of EV charging infrastructure in New Jersey with its EV Charging Program. It offers on-bill credits of up to $30,000 toward the cost of upgrading Customer Side Make Ready (CSMR) for commercial Level 2 smart chargers and up to $100,000 per site for DCFC chargers. This program caters to public, workplace, and fleet settings.

8. Atlantic City Electric (ACE) EV Smart Program

Atlantic City Electric (ACE) is offering an EV Smart Program which includes a target deployment of up to 3,250 Level 2 and DCFC ports for home, multi-family, workplace, fleet and public sites over 5 years. The make-ready rebate incentives cover from 50% up to 100% of costs up to $5,000 per port.

9. JCP&L’s EV Driven Program (Public Access DCFC)

Jersey Central Power and Light (JCP&L)EV driven program is spearheading New Jersey’s electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure expansion. This four-year initiative, approved by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU), is designed to facilitate the growth of EV adoption while reducing auto emissions in the state. The program encompasses three key components, making it accessible to a wide range of customers, including residential, commercial, and public users.

Residential charging: Residential customers can benefit from incentives of up to $1,500 to support electrical upgrades necessary for the installation of qualified Level Two EV chargers. Additionally, utility upgrades, such as new poles, transformers, and service wires, may be eligible for incentives of up to $5,500. Bill credit incentives are also available to encourage off-peak-hours charging.

Mixed-use commercial and multifamily properties: These entities can receive substantial incentives of up to $6,700 per qualified Level Two charger for public-access ports. For workplace use, up to $5,000 per port is available for a maximum of 100 ports. Multifamily property owners in designated overburdened communities may qualify for off-peak charging credits and incentives of up to $8,375 per charger. For non-overburdened communities, the incentive is up to $6,700 per smart charging port. The program also covers the costs of utility upgrades at qualifying locations.

Public-access DC Fast charging: This program offers incentives of up to $25,000 per DC fast charger port are offered across JCP&L’s service territory. Additionally, JCP&L will install necessary infrastructure, including underground cabling, transformers, metering connections, and poles, at a cost of up to $50,500 per location for up to 124 public DC Fast charging locations. To manage increased electrical costs associated with DC fast charging, demand charge discounts are also made available.

Overall, JCP&L’s EV Driven Program represents a significant step toward achieving the state’s target of registering 330,000 electric vehicles by 2025 and underscores JCP&L’s commitment to providing safe, reliable, and affordable service to its customers.

10. It Pay$ to Plug In: NJ DEP’s EV Charging Station Grant Program

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJ DEP) is promoting electric vehicle (EV) adoption through its It Pay$ to Plug In program. The initiative offers grants to offset the costs of purchasing and maintaining EV charging stations, contributing to the expansion of the state’s EV infrastructure. Eligible applicants, including businesses, governments, non-profits, and educational institutions, can apply for grants to install Level 1 and Level 2 charging stations in workplaces, public places, multi-unit dwellings, corridors, and community locations. The reimbursement amounts range up to $750 per Level 1 charging port and $4,000 per Level 2 charging port. The program also encourages participation in utility infrastructure incentive programs and provides resources for “make-ready” infrastructure. With a focus on reducing emissions and improving air quality, It Pay$ to Plug In is a crucial step towards a greener, more sustainable New Jersey. Applicants can follow a straightforward seven-step process outlined on the NJ DEP website to apply for grants and contribute to the state’s electric mobility goals.

Conclusion

In conclusion, New Jersey’s comprehensive suite of EV charging incentives underscores the state’s commitment to cleaner transportation, environmental sustainability, and economic growth. Whether you’re a resident, a business owner, or part of a public entity, there’s an incentive program tailored to empower you on the journey toward a greener, electrified future.