The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities on Monday awarded more than $1 million in grants for the installation of electric vehicle chargers at 24 key tourist destinations across the Garden State as part of the state’s Electric Vehicle Tourism Program.

It’s a milestone moment, Gov. Phil Murphy said.

“Over the past four years, our administration has worked rapidly to make EV ownership in our state practical and easy,” he said. “Today’s grant awards will greatly improve EV infrastructure in tourist destinations across our state, encouraging EV-owning New Jerseyans and out-of-state tourists to visit these areas and improve the local economy while contributing to our battle against climate change.

“With forward-thinking initiatives like this, New Jersey continues to lead the nation in building a green economy.”

The tourism destinations range from Hudson County to Atlantic County and locations in between. The grants will cover 50 Level-Two chargers and 11 Direct Current Fast Chargers. Four of the grant awards are being made to the city of Asbury Park, which will go to support the installation of four public charging stations in the city.

The Electric Vehicle Tourism Program eliminates barriers to purchasing electric vehicles by investing in electric vehicle infrastructure and reducing range anxiety for residents and tourists visiting New Jersey. Expanding infrastructure across the state is critical to moving New Jersey closer to Murphy’s goal of 330,000 EVs by 2025. Encouraging the use of electric vehicles is also an important part of reducing transportation emissions and achieving the governor’s goal of 100% clean energy by 2050.

The BPU also announced the Electric Vehicle Tourism Program opened for the second round of applications. The deadline is May 16.

The EV Tourism Program provides the following grants to eligible applicants accepted for participation:

• An incentive of $2,000 for an eligible Level-Two charger and an incentive of 50% of the make-ready costs, up to $5,000.
• An incentive of 50% of the cost of a Direct Current Fast Charger and the associated make-ready costs, up to $75,000.

Locations would be limited to six Level-Two chargers and two DCFCs per site.

Grants will be provided as reimbursements.

The following 24 applications have been approved in the first round of solicitations:

• Asbury Park, site 1: Level-Two (2)
• Asbury Park, site 2: Level-Two (2)
• Asbury Park, site 3: Level-Two (2)
• Asbury Park, site 4: Level-Two (2)
• Berkeley Township: Level-Two (1)
• Brick Township (Windward Beach Park): Level-Two (2)
• Camden Parking Authority: Level-Two (2)
• CRDA (Convention Center): Level-Two (2)
• CRDA (Wave Parking Garage): Level-Two (6)
• Crystal Springs (Grand Cascades Lodge): DC Fast Charger (2)
• Crystal Springs (Cascades Lounge): Level-Two (6)
• Crystal Springs (Minerals Hotel): Level-Two (6)
• East Amwell: DC Fast Charger (1)
• Highlands: DC Fast Changer (1)
• NJDEP (High Point Park): Level-Two (2)
• NJDEP (Cheesequake State Park): Level-Two (2)
• NJDEP (Round Valley): Level-Two (2)
• NJDEP (Wawayanda State Park): Level-Two (2)
• NJDEP (Wharton State Forest): Level-Two (2)
• Ocean City: DC Fast Charger (2)
• Point Pleasant Beach: DC Fast Charger (1)
• Union City: Level-Two (6)
• Watershed Institute: Level-Two (3)
• Woodbridge: Level-Two (2)

NJBPU President Joseph Fiordaliso was thrilled by the announcement.

“With the announcement today, New Jersey continues to lead on reducing our emissions from vehicles through electric vehicle infrastructure investment,” he said. “We are driving more people to our state’s many historic, recreational and cultural treasures while promoting a cleaner, greener future.

“As we recover from the pandemic, this initiative will help EV drivers discover more of the Garden State by giving tourists a place to plug-in and unwind.”

For FAQs of the EV Tourism Program application, click here.

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