Assemblyman Gordon M. Johnson, chair of the Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee, recently introduced a four-bill legislative package aimed at encouraging increased use of alternative fuel vehicles and equipment.
“By expanding the availability of green vehicle infrastructure and incentivizing the purchase of vehicles that will reduce our dependence on foreign oil, New Jersey can make progress on economic, environmental and national security fronts,” said Johnson (D-Bergen). “Replacing conventional vehicles currently on the road with alternative fuel vehicles will spur innovation creating a more affordable, more eco-friendly New Jersey.”
The bills are as follows:
- A-4747 would prohibit common interest communities, such as condominiums and homeowners’ associations, from adopting or enforcing any rule that prohibits the installation of an electric vehicle charging station in a unit owner’s parking space.
- A-4748 would direct the Department of Environmental Protection to establish a program to promote the use of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and the associated infrastructure. The program would be funded with 25 percent of any funds New Jersey receives from any settlement between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Volkswagen of America, Inc.
- A-4749 would direct the DEP to use funds it receives from the Volkswagen settlement to: promote electric vehicle use, subsidize charge station installation and reduce diesel emissions at the ports of Elizabeth and Newark.
- A-4750 would make the sales and use tax exemption currently available to those purchasing zero-emissions vehicles, such as all-electric vehicles, also available to purchasers of plug-in hybrid vehicles.
“In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting the environment, supporting electric, hybrid and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles will allow New Jersey residents to spend less of their hard-earned money on filling up at the pump,” said Johnson. “Installing more charging and alternative fueling stations and expanding tax incentives are just a few of the ways New Jersey can make it easier for drivers to reduce their household expenses by choosing green vehicles.”