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TRENTON – Two bills that would jumpstart the sale of zero- and low-emission vehicles in New Jersey, reducing the state’s reliance on foreign oil and improving the state’s air quality were approved yesterday by the Senate Environment and Energy Committee.

“Because New Jersey has set stringent guidelines for the number of zero- and low-emission vehicles sold each year – numbers that quickly accelerate within the next five years – we must determine a comprehensive plan to increase consumer acceptance of electric, natural gas and hybrid vehicles,” said Senator Bob Smith, D-Middlesex/Somerset, Chairman of the Senate Environment and Energy Committee. “The standards the state has set require that, by 2025, 15 percent of all vehicles sold in New Jersey must be zero-emission and plug-in hybrid cars. We need to take action now to show New Jersey consumers that these cars are economical and environmentally-friendly, so that we can reach our goal of reducing carbon emissions.”