For Immediate Release
Contact Jeff Tittel, 609-558-9100
Tesla Motors Inc. is opening their first outlet in south Jersey. The 28,000 square-foot facility in Cherry Hill has received local approval from the planning board. The company will use the location to both sell and service their electric vehicles. Tesla already have three dealerships in the northern part of the state in Short Hills, Paramus and Springfield. Tesla’s electric vehicles come with tax credits and incentives and they do not emit exhaust fumes or motor oil.
“It’s important that Tesla is bringing electric vehicles to South Jersey. New Jersey has some of the worst air quality in the nation, with most of the pollution coming from automobiles. Electric vehicles will be able to save people money on gas, reduce air pollution, while promoting jobs and a green economy. We need more electric vehicles to be sold here and more incentives for consumers. This store will encourage more people to own and use Teslas and hopefully spread the popularity of EV’s over polluting cars,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “It’s especially critical that New Jersey is moving forward with zero emission vehicles since Trump is rolling back fuel efficiency standards. His Executive Order would repeal our law to require zero emission vehicles.”
By increasing electric vehicle sales, it will help car dealers in selling more fuel efficient cars, help New Jersey companies who are part suppliers for these car parts, and even bring in new companies since we may be the first state on the east coast to implement these practices. Governor Christie’s intentional failure to educate people and provide programs for EVs has not only hurt our economy and environment, but puts New Jersey at a competitive disadvantage.
“The Christie Administration has also been driving in the wrong direction when it comes to EV’s. In New Jersey, a state that is filled with daily drivers, we only have 2,500 electric vehicles. We need zero-emission vehicles to reduce climate changing greenhouse gases and to clean our air. People want to drive electric, but Christie hasn’t put any programs in place to encourage the public to drive them. This is a small step in the right direction, but we need many more charging stations on highways and in communities to encourage people drive electric," said Tittel. “Christie has tried to ban the sale of Tesla, refused to join the EV compact, and failed to pass legislation to promote EVs and their infrastructure. Luckily, this hasn’t stopped Tesla from moving ahead with EV’s across New Jersey.”
In May, the Christie Administration New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission will no longer be testing tailpipe emissions from automobiles. This will mean that all vehicles will be exempt from air quality inspections. This will effect old cars, pick-up trucks, and SUVs. The Sierra Club is opposed to this decision. Relaxed inspection standards increase air quality and safety concerns for motorists and residents.
“Governor Christie has not only failed to promote EVs, but has allowed the oldest and dirtiest cars in New Jersey that cause the most smog to be kept on the road. Christie is blocking regulations to test tailpipe emissions for at least 50,000 clunkers. These are the cars that could not pass the air monitoring tests. Now they can keep violating the standards and keep polluting. These cars are 10 times dirtier than a newer car and 30 times dirtier than a Prius. As vehicles get older they pollute more. They need to be maintained in order to reduce pollution and safety issues and these inspections are critical for that. This is part of the Christie Administration’s attack on clean air,” said Tittel.
Transportation is one of the biggest causes of greenhouse gases in the U.S. The Sierra Club’s national electric vehicles initiative advocates for a switch to EVs as one important way to reduce emissions and cut oil consumption. Sierra Club produced an Electric Vehicle Guide for consumers to help make the best decision of the car of their choice. Our goal in New Jersey is to have 503,732 by 2025.
“More Tesla dealerships will mean more people in New Jersey who transfer to EV’s/ We need to increase the use of electric vehicles, because it be better for New Jersey and our lungs. It would not only drive our economy forward, but would help create more jobs, save us money on gas and clean our air. New Jersey needs to do more to promote electric vehicles and most importantly increasing rebates and charging stations. If we are able to charge electric vehicles with renewable energy like solar, it’s a win-win for the economy and the environment,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.