The full Assembly voted 73-2-0 last Thursday sending a bill (A-1993) that would improve residential access to electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure to the Governor’s desk. The bill is sponsored by Assembly Democrats Nancy Pinkin, Dan Benson and Jim Kennedy.
“Taking steps to mitigate the impact of today’s climate crisis is critical if we are to protect public health and our environment,” said Pinkin (D-Middlesex). “With transportation accounting for nearly half our state’s emissions, it is essential that we continue to break down barriers to EV adoption. By providing for more convenient access to charging infrastructure, we can facilitate the adoption of greener technologies.”
The bill would specifically require that developers offer and inform prospective homeowners of the option to install in-home EV charging as part of new construction in certain residential developments of 25 or more units.
“Our goal to have an entirely electric transportation fleet by 2050 will only be successful with a robust charging network supporting it,” said Benson (D-Mercer, Middlesex). “This bill ensures that developers are actively informing homeowners of the option to have an EV charging station installed during construction of their new home.”
Developers would be required to disclose the total cost of installing an EV charging station to prospective owners who would be charged unless the cost of installation is included in the sale of a unit.
“As more people make the switch and go electric, there’s going to be great demand for the supporting charging infrastructure,” said Kennedy (D-Middlesex, Somerset, Union). “With 80 percent of charging happening at home, this makes it particularly crucial for policy to facilitate the installation of charging infrastructure in new residential developments, as this bill does.”
The bill passed the Senate 36-2 on June 29. It now heads to the Governor’s desk.