Shawn LaTourette, commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Protection, is drawing attention to state efforts to make electric vehicles more widespread in New Jersey, including an extra $10 million in the state budget to incentivize the purchase of EVs and for the installation of charging infrastructure.
LaTourette, who purchased an electric car in July, said people can use state and federal programs to save up to $12,000 on buying a new EV. “We better prepare ourselves to meet the challenge of climate change, but most importantly, to push back on the increasing health risks that are largely invisible,” he said during a news conference in Lawrence Township Thursday.
Lawrence has five EVs as part of its municipal fleet, and a sixth on the way. “As a township, we are taking leadership on this issue,” said Lawrence Mayor John Ryan. “Electric vehicles are good for the economy and especially good for public health and also the environment.” According to DEP data, New Jersey has more than 123,000 EVs on its roads, and more than 2,000 Level-2 ports to charge them.
