Guide to Electric Vehicles in New Jersey

With sustainability steering the wheel, the electric vehicle (EV) revolution is gaining speed nationwide. New Jersey is riding this wave, rolling out attractive benefits and green-friendly regulations that make electric car ownership a breeze. It's not just an eco-trend—it's the Garden State's road to a greener future.

To help you learn more about electric car rebates, incentives and charging stations in New Jersey, we’ve put together this useful guide to answer all your questions surrounding the EV topic in the Garden State.

Jump to a section:

• How Many EVs Are There in New Jersey?
• Are There Incentives for Electric Cars in New Jersey?
• New Jersey EV charging network

How Many EVs Are There in New Jersey?

In the race towards mass EV adoption, New Jersey is shifting gears and picking up pace. Just a decade ago, only 338 EVs traveled on the state's roads. Fast forward to 2022, and the Garden State has evolved into an EV paradise, securing a spot in the top 10 states for EV registrations per 1,000 people. It's not just progress—it's a speedy transformation towards a cleaner New Jersey.

Here are a few quick facts about EV registrations in New Jersey:

• As of December 2022, there are 91,515 electric vehicle registrations, including battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. This number makes up 8% of all new car sales for the year.
• Year over year, the popularity of electric vehicles has surged, going from 2.58 EV registrations per 1,000 people in 2018, to 9.80 EV registrations per 1,000 people in 2022.
• ·In 2021, New Jersey held 3.26% of the electric vehicles registered in the entire country, which marks a 57.23% increase compared to 2020. At this pace, the state could become an EV movement leader.
• The Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV) program introduced in January 2004 has made a huge impact on EV adoption, increasing electric vehicle ownership through state sales tax exemption. 

Are There Incentives for Electric Cars in New Jersey?

There are plenty of electric car incentives and rebates in New Jersey for those who own or are thinking about getting an eco-friendly ride. Aside from the environmental benefits, owning an electric vehicle can also bring financial perks too.

These include:

• Charge Up New Jersey: Rebates for Electric Vehicle Purchase or Lease – You can receive up to $4,000 when you purchase or lease a new all-electric vehicle.
• Charge Up New Jersey: EV Charger Incentive – If you
  purchase an eligible electric charger for your home, you can get up to $250 as a rebate. This can also be combined with utility incentives.
• Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV) Tax Exemption – New or
  used all-electric vehicles in weight classes one to eight are exempt from the state sales tax, which means you will save 6.6% when you buy, lease or rent an EV. Please note that ZEV doesn’t apply to plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
• EZ Pass Green Pass Discount on Garden State Parkway and New Jersey Turnpike Tolls – Electric vehicles are eligible for a 10% off-peak discount on their EZ Pass accounts for the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway toll roads.
• HOV Lane Access – Electric vehicles can drive in the HOV lanes (high-occupancy vehicle lanes) no matter the number of passengers in the vehicle. These lanes are located on sections of the New Jersey Turnpike and are reserved for vehicles carrying three or more people during peak travel times.
• New Jersey Zero Emission Incentive Program (NJ ZIP) – Micro and
  small businesses and institutions can receive vouchers for purchasing zero-emission medium-duty and heavy-duty new vehicles that will operate in the state.

In addition to the green drive state incentives mentioned above, there are a few more state incentives in place in New Jersey and also five federal incentives that you can read about on the State of New Jersey government website.

New Jersey EV Charging Network

At Hertz, we're always keeping pace with the latest in the automotive industry. Did you know? In New Jersey, there are close to 1,000 electric charging stations already up and running. And that's not all! Plans are in motion to supercharge this infrastructure with an additional 240 EV charging ports. These are set to be conveniently located in the service areas on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway tolls.

Most public charging stations and workplaces have Level 2 chargers and some even offer free charging. 

• The public EV charging stations that have a fee accept cards or payments through a mobile app and the cost can vary.
• You can usually expect higher costs than charging at home, although EV chargers are generally cheaper than fueling at gas pumps.
• DC Fast chargers are more expensive than Level 1 and Level 2 chargers.

When you buy or lease an electric car, you may get free charging or charging credits at certain chargers from the auto manufacturers. You can also check the electric car rebate programs available in New Jersey with some even offering you support with your  electric bills and home charger installation.

Let’s Go!

Stepping into the world of EVs in New Jersey comes with an array of benefits. The state's proactive approach to sustainability through incentives, regulations, and ambitious goals like the zero-emission by 2035 directive, paints a promising picture for EV adoption.

Hertz is committed to guiding you at every turn and our blog is packed with valuable insights and compelling articles that cater to your curiosity about EVs. Whether you're intrigued by the fascinating history of electric vehicle technology or wondering about the timeline when EVs might surge ahead of gas-powered counterparts, we've got it covered.

With Hertz, embark on an enlightening journey into the electrified realm of automobiles. After all, the future is electric - and it's here. So, let's power up and drive into a greener tomorrow!

Book your Hertz EV now and kickstart your adventure today.