The $50 million Take Charge program, the latest effort by the state to increase the number of charging stations across the state, was approved by the board of the N.J. Economic Development Authority last week.
The Take Charge program aims to provide funding for charging infrastructure projects for private commercial fleets, helping bring more electric vehicles onto New Jersey’s roadways.
The program will help cover the costs, including hardware and related installation costs, of establishing electric vehicle charging infrastructure for private commercial fleets. Private fleets interested in adopting electric vehicles require consistently available and reliable charging infrastructure but often face high costs for installation and site upgrades necessary for charger operation.
Here’s how it will work.
For-profit commercial organizations with two or more commercial-use vehicles will be eligible to apply for the Take Charge Program. Funding may be used to cover the cost of labor, materials, and equipment associated with new charging stations, including wiring and electric work, on-site renewable energy generation, and upgrades for installation and operation. Click here for a full list of eligibility requirements and eligible project costs. Interested parties with any questions may email [email protected].
The minimum award for the Take Charge Program is $50,000. Awards will be capped at 50 percent of eligible project costs, but the cap may be increased by 5 percent increments if certain criteria are met, including if a project is in an Overburdened Community. An applicant may apply for multiple projects across different sites, as long as the total award does not exceed $5 million. The program is funded through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
EDA CEO Tim Sullivan said the program is another step in the state’s efforts on clean energy.
“Under Gov. Phil Murphy’s leadership, New Jersey is leading the way in advancing robust programs and initiatives aimed to create a cleaner environment for future generations,” he said. “The Take Charge Program will complement the NJEDA’s other clean energy initiatives that support expanding the state’s fleet of electric vehicles, improving air quality, saving businesses money, and bolstering our green economy.”
Earlier this year, Murphy announced that there are over 250,000 electric vehicle registrations in New Jersey, a new milestone in the state’s mission to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to 100 percent clean energy.
