Environment New Jersey Opposes Nation-Leading Fee on Electric Vehicles

Trenton – Environment New Jersey, along with other environmental and electric vehicle advocates, rallied opposition to the punitive $250 fee proposed on electric vehicles included in legislation to update the New Jersey Transportation Trust Fund Authority Act (S2931/A4011), which will include a fee of more than $1,000 for purchases of new EVs (because new car purchases require a 4-year upfront car registration). This effort is part of misguided effort to force EV drivers to pay into the Transportation Trust Fund at levels higher than massive gas guzzlers on the road. The legislation will be heard in the Assembly Transportation Committee this morning.

Doug O’Malley, Director of Environment New Jersey, issued the following statement in opposition:

“We’re not opposed to a fair fee for EV drivers, but this is a bridge too far. Under this proposal, New Jersey would have the highest, most punitive EV fee in the nation. This is a schizophrenic EV policy – we’re sending mixed messages to potential EV drivers. As a leader on electric vehicles, this is a distinction that New Jersey shouldn’t pursue. There’s still time to fix this and set a fair fee that reflects the lower environmental impact of electric vehicles.”