Legislation sponsored by Senate Environment and Energy Committee Vice-Chairwoman Linda R. Greenstein that would provide New Jersey drivers with public access to electric vehicle charging stations on the New Jersey Turnpike was approved today by the Committee.
“Nationally, electric vehicle sales were double last year compared to 2012 and we can expect more and more people to drive these cars which are both more environmentally-friendly and have the economic impact of not requiring high-priced fuel,” said Senator Greenstein, D-Middlesex and Mercer. “As more electric cars hit New Jersey’s roads, its imperative that owners are able to charge them throughout the state. By having the Turnpike Authority and the South Jersey Turnpike Authority start to install these stations up and down the state, I think we can really get the ball rolling on charging stations becoming commonplace in New Jersey.”
The bill, S-1794, would require electric vehicle charging stations to be installed in at least five percent of the parking spaces at service areas along the New Jersey Turnpike. The bill would only require service areas with more than 100 available parking spaces to comply.
The bill was approved by the Committee with a vote of 4-1. It now heads to the full Senate for consideration.