Fill It Up: Senate Passes EV Charging Bill, Easing Installation Process at Gas Stations

Environment New Jersey

Trenton – Yesterday, the Senate passed a bill (S938/A2108) that will make it easier for gas stations to install electric vehicle charging stations. The bill, sponsored by Senators Pennacchio and Turner, as well as Assembly members Lisa Swain, Yvonne Lopez, and Robert Karabinchak, is a great step towards increasing electric vehicle adoption in New Jersey. This legislation exempts gas stations from local approvals for the installation of electric vehicle charging stations, if they meet three requirements regarding permitting, codes, and approval processes.

Hayley Berliner, clean energy associate for Environment New Jersey, issued the following statement after the legislation was passed: 

“Access to charging stations, or lack thereof, is one of the most common concerns with electric vehicle adoption. Easing the process for gas stations to install charging stations removes a significant barrier and allows for more charging infrastructure to be installed at one of the most common places drivers see during their time on the road — a gas station. By passing this bill, the State Senate is building on the goals of the omnibus EV bill (S2552/A4819) passed in January. We need to beat range anxiety for potential EV drivers and seeing more EV charging stations when they’re going to fill up a tank will help encourage mass adoption. It’s a reminder that ‘if you build it, they will come.’”

“I want to thank the Senate for passing this bill today, and we thank Senators Pennachio and Turner for their prime sponsorship of this bill. This is a good step forward, but there is a lot of work left to do. New Jersey needs a state-wide network of fast charging stations, especially along our highways and heavily trafficked roads, as we move forward to reach our electrification charging goals.”