New Jersey’s incentive program for the purchase or lease of new electric vehicles has been enormously successful. The third year of the program, which began in late July 2022, was paused on April 17. “Based on the program’s current rate of application approvals and eligible vehicle orders,” the Board of Public Utilities estimated the $35 million allocated for the 2023 fiscal year would be fully committed by then.

Charge Up New Jersey offered up to $4,000 for every purchase or lease of an electric vehicle. To qualify for the incentives, residents had to order, purchase or lease an eligible EV in the state on or after July 25, 2022 and before April 17. An estimated 10,000-plus new electric vehicles were purchased or leased in that period. And, according to the BPU, “the Charge up Program will have provided over $90 million in incentives for the lease or purchase of nearly 25,000 EVs since the program opened in May 2020.” 

The Charge Up New Jersey program is part of the state’s plan to meet Gov. Phil Murphy’s goal of 100% clean energy by 2035. At the end of 2022, 8% of all new car sales in the state were electric vehicles. There are an estimated 91,000 EVs on New Jersey roadways. 

“As we fight the ravages of climate change it is increasingly important to dramatically reduce the greenhouse gases generated by gas guzzling cars and encourage New Jerseyans to drive electric. The Charge Up Program has been an incredibly popular incentive that has put more electric vehicles on New Jersey roadways,” said BPU President Joseph L. Fiordaliso.