New Jersey recently announced a new statewide municipal ordinance that streamlines the local approval process for installing charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. The ordinance is the result of a bills package Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law in July that aims to advance the transition to a clean energy.
The ordinance, which is effective immediately, supersedes requirements in communities with existing EV charging ordinances. It contains multiple requirements including those for minimum parking, EV-ready development, and municipal approvals and permits. It also contains guidelines for health and safety factors, but allows municipal modifications as needed.
The goal is to enable electric vehicle adoption for those who can’t charge at home and to increase the proximity of charging infrastructure.
“Earlier this year, I announced an investment of more than $100 million in clean, equitable transportation projects to improve air quality and reduce the effects of climate change while moving New Jersey towards 100 percent clean energy by 2050,” Murphy said. “Making smart investments in our transportation infrastructure, such as encouraging electric vehicle charging infrastructure across the state, will help build a stronger, fairer, and greener New Jersey for generations to come.”
The Board of Public Utilities, the Department of Community Affairs, and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection developed the ordinance.