Electric Vehicle Charging in New Jersey is About to Get a lot Easier
A landmark electric vehicle bill, which would streamline permitting for electric vehicle infrastructure, is headed to Governors Murphy’s desk.
Highland Park, NJ – It could become a lot easier to get charging stations in the ground in New Jersey. The New Jersey Legislature voted to pass a bill S-3223 Aca (A-2108/5032 Acs) that would streamline permitting for electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure. The bill also puts in place a model ordinance for all New Jersey towns establishing requirements and zoning standards for installation of electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) and EV-ready parking spaces. This bill is now headed to Governor Murphy’s desk to be signed.
This legislation will be a groundbreaking advancement for electric vehicle (EV) market development in New Jersey. In the past few years, New Jersey has become a national leader in clean transportation, setting goals for EV adoption and infrastructure installation and backing up those goals with rebates and grants.
“New Jersey has been a leader in the development of this new and transformative market. At the same time, we are one of the most difficult states to install the charging infrastructure that we so greatly need to accelerate EV adoption. Pam Frank, CEO of ChargEVC-NJ continues, “This legislation will fix that, helping us meet our statewide clean energy goals and solidifying our role as the East Coast leader in clean transportation.”
The details of the bill include:
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- EVSE or EV-ready infrastructure will be considered a permitted accessory use in all zones, will not require a variance, and will not be subject to site plan or other land use board review. This streamlines the most complex step in the installation process of much needed charging infrastructure around New Jersey.
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- Requirements for parking lot/garage developments to install EVSE and EV-ready infrastructure in a certain percentage of parking spaces, with the requirements increasing as the market develops. The inclusion of EV-ready requirements means that developments will be able to future-proof for inevitable EV adoption, and avoiding high costs of digging up existing infrastructure to rewire for EVSE.
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- Mandating municipalities to adopt a uniform minimum requirement ordinance, which will be released by the Department of Community Affairs. This important element of the bill will set a common standard for all municipalities in the state and a baseline for municipalities to build off it they see fit.
By signing this bill into law, Governor Murphy will set a new standard for solving complex permitting and zoning issues that can be replicated throughout the United States.
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ChargEVC-NJ is a not-for-profit coalition of diverse stakeholders that includes retail automotive dealers, utilities, consumer and equity advocates, environmental and labor organizations and technology companies. See www.chargevc.org for more information.