ChargEVC Promotes Next Generation Electric Vehicles for New Jersey
Highland Park, New Jersey – Technology companies, automobile dealers, utilities, environmental and community advocates today joined forces to launch a new coalition to push New Jersey to the forefront on electric vehicle adoption. The electric vehicle coalition, known as ChargEVC, will research, educate and advocate for the widespread adoption of next generation electric vehicles (EVs) in New Jersey.
Drivers will soon be able to choose from a variety of EVs that offer driving ranges of more than 200 miles on a full charge, as well as superior pick-up and an exciting driving experience at affordable prices.
ChargEVC’s mission is to design and promote policies that replace cars that run on traditional fuel with electric-powered vehicles and assure widespread benefits, including reductions in greenhouse gases and other harmful emissions, strengthening of the utility grid, lowering and stabilizing of electricity rates, reduction of transportation costs, and a diversification of New Jersey’s primary energy supply beyond petroleum.
“We see wide and large economic and environmental benefits across all sectors,” said Pamela Frank, Executive Director of the newly formed ChargEVC. “This is both an energy and a transportation initiative and it presents a unique opportunity for New Jersey to set a national model of thoughtful policies that promote the growth of EVs and the substantial benefits they deliver. New Jersey has the opportunity to realize these benefits and more, but only with proactive planning and policies.”
“Since a majority of the state’s electricity comes from zero-emission sources, electric vehicles provide a great opportunity to improve local air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said M. Courtney McCormick, Vice President – Renewables and Energy Solutions at PSE&G. “We’re committed to working with the coalition to support
policies and develop programs that support EV adoption, and increase access to charging infrastructure for our customers.”
“With no tailpipe emissions and low operating costs, EVs can reduce air pollution and save money. Our job will be to evenly distribute those benefits – especially where they are most needed in urban neighborhoods,” said Martin Johnson, President of Isles, Inc.
“The environmental benefits are substantial. In New Jersey, a mile driven in an EV is 70% less polluting than a mile driven in a gas-fueled car,” says Mary Barber, Director New Jersey Clean Energy with the Environmental Defense Fund.
“ChargEVC wants to promote EV charging infrastructure to accelerate EV adoption,” says Colleen Quinn, Vice President for ChargePoint. She continues, “New Jersey has the opportunity to be a leader if it embraces policies that promote a robust, competitive and innovative electric charging system throughout the state, which will also bring the benefit of jobs and other positive economic activity.”
ChargEVC plans to publish its first report, “The NJ EV Roadmap,” in early 2017. The report will provide the research, analysis and policy recommendations necessary to assure the acceleration of EV charging and infrastructure in New Jersey.
ChargEVC is a not-for-profit trade association with the mission to research, educate and advocate for the widespread adoption of next-generation electric vehicles (EVs) in New Jersey. Founding members include (listed in alphabetical order): A.F. Mensah, Atlantic City Electric/Exelon, ChargePoint, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), Environment New Jersey, EVGo, Independent Energy Producers of New Jersey (IEPNJ), Isles, Inc., Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), New Jersey Clean Cities Coalition, New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers, Inc. (NJ CAR), New Jersey Work Environment Council, Rockland Electric Company and Public Service Electric & Gas Company (PSE&G). The coalition is supported by Gabel Associates for organizational management, research analysis, and advocacy.
Contact: Pamela Frank at 609-577-2795 or info@chargevc.org and visit www.CHARGEVC.org for more information.