For Immediate Release
Contact Jeff Tittel, 609-558-9100
There are now more than 10,000 electric plug-in vehicles on the road in New Jersey. It has come out that sales have grown by 79 percent since last year according to a report by Charge EVC. This is an important step for clean air in New Jersey, but we are still lagging behind in electric vehicle infrastructure with less than a thousand public charging stations. We also should have had 30,000 electric vehicles by now to reach our 2050 goal of 500,000 to meet California’s Clean Car Standards. Zero emission vehicles are an important part of transitioning to a cleaner, more technological advanced transportation future along improvements to mass transit. The speakers urged the need for New Jersey to continue to support the sale of electric vehicles, install charging stations, and commit to a more sustainable transportation future.
“New Jersey has seen a big increase in the sale of electric vehicles. This is even more important because it has happened despite New Jersey not having real major incentive programs, education, or program to build charging stations. People are moving forward and sales have grown 79 percent in one year despite Christie and Trump rolling back programs to promote these vehicles. This shows people are demanding clean, zero emissions vehicles and that we are all benefiting from cleaner air and less climate impacts. Electric vehicles show we have the ability to move this country forward with an automobile that has zero emissions and decrease fossil fuels. The biggest source of air pollution and greenhouse gases in our state comes from automobiles, which is why we need to increase electric vehicles to clean our air,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “Electric vehicles not only help reduce dangerous smog and ozone levels, but also help fight climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”
Each year, American passenger vehicles spew upwards of three trillion tons of carbon pollution into the air by burning about 121 billion gallons of gasoline. A fully electric vehicle uses electricity to power a battery. This means no gasoline, no dirty oil changes, and no internal combustion engine. Thanks to rebates and tax credits, decreasing prices in EV technology, and the much cheaper price of electricity vs. gasoline, the cost of owning and operating an electric vehicle is now notably lower than that of many conventional vehicles. There are currently more than 20 fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles available at US dealerships.
“It is important that people are moving forward with electric vehicles, because Christie and Trump are taking us backwards. We should have at least 30,000 electric vehicles to get to our 2050 goal. This is because the Governor has refused to join the EV compact and failed to pass legislation to promote EVs and their infrastructure. The electric vehicle compact would helped put 3.3 million electric vehicles on the road, but our Governor rather side with polluters than protect public health. The eight states will enjoy the creation of thousands of jobs, provide infrastructure around the states for EVs, and allow them to leaders in EV technology. New Jersey is clearly missing out on the green jobs because of Christie’s failed policies,” said Jeff Tittel. “While other states are promoting electric vehicles with rebates and thousands of charging stations, our state is falling behind because we have no plan for charging stations or incentive for electric vehicles. We even have $72 million available from the Volkswagen Settlement, but Christie rather side with polluters than take the money for electric vehicles.”
Electric vehicles will help grow our economy as well as protect our environment. 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.
“New Jersey is one of the best states to utilize electric vehicles since most of our energy is already carbon-free. Electric vehicles not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cars, but can help stop future drilling, pipelines, and oil bomb trains. We should be driving our economy forward with electric vehicles because it will help create more green jobs and save consumers money on gas. If we are able to charge electric vehicles with renewable energy like solar, it is even better for the environment,” said Jeff Tittel. “We not only have companies that make and sell electric vehicles but we also have NRG Energy who supports investments in infrastructure. In order to get New Jersey moving in the right direction, we need more electric vehicles to be sold here and more incentives for consumers.”
Electric vehicles will help grow our economy as well as protect our environment. 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. Tesla even has developed a new battery that charges using electricity generated from solar panels, or when utility rates are low to power your home. These technologies will make it even easier to drive electric vehicles. Instead of moving us forward, the Trump Administration is rolling back Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards as well as the vehicle tailpipe standards finalized under the Obama administration.
“As we enter the next Administration, we need to stop the gridlock with electric vehicles. While Trump is rolling back CAFE standards, it makes it even more important for New Jersey to be a leader in electric vehicles and the infrastructure to support them. We need charging stations at every corner of the New Jersey because it will actually help reduce pollution. Electric vehicles will be able to save people money on gas, reduce air pollution, while promoting jobs and a green economy,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “In New Jersey, we could have had 30,000 electric vehicles by now, but we have been getting zapped by the Christie Administration. We need New Jersey to drive into the 21st century by becoming a leader in clean car technology.”