New Jersey’s Charge Up program has just gotten a major boost with the introduction of the Charge Up+ initiative, aimed at making electric vehicles (EVs) more accessible to lower-income residents. The state is doubling down on its commitment to promote EV adoption and meet its clean energy goals, reports NJ.com.

Charge Up+: New Income-Based Incentive

Starting September 17, 2024, New Jersey rolled out the Charge Up+ program, offering an additional $2,000 incentive for income-eligible applicants. This brings the total potential incentive to $4,000 when combined with the base incentive. The move is designed to make EVs more affordable for a broader range of families.

Eligibility for Charge Up+

To qualify for the extra $2,000, applicants must meet specific income thresholds:

$75,000 for single filers
$112,500 for heads of household
$150,000 for households

These thresholds ensure that the incentive reaches those who need it most, making EV ownership a more viable option for many New Jersey residents.

Base Incentive and EV Charger Incentive

The base Charge Up New Jersey incentive remains at $2,000 for all eligible vehicles with an MSRP up to $55,000. Additionally, the program offers a $250 rebate for the purchase and installation of a qualifying Level 2 charger through the In-Home EV Charger Incentive.

Application Process

The application process for these incentives is straightforward:

For the $2,000 base incentive, eligible dealers will submit the application on behalf of the buyer, with savings applied instantly at the point of sale.
For the $4,000 Charge Up+ incentive, applicants must prequalify before visiting the dealership.

Program Impact

The Charge Up program has already made significant strides:

Over 37,000 EV incentives have been approved.
More than 6,900 EV charger incentives have been approved.
As of June 30, 2024, there were nearly 184,000 EVs registered in New Jersey.

Goals and Context

New Jersey aims to have 330,000 registered EVs by 2025. As of June 2024, electric vehicles constituted approximately 2.8% of light-duty vehicles on New Jersey roads. The state has also mandated that all new vehicles sold from 2035 onward must be zero-emission.

Challenges and Criticisms

Despite the progress, there are concerns about the affordability of EVs and charging infrastructure. A new $250 annual registration fee for electric vehicles was introduced, which will increase by $10 each year until it reaches $290. Additionally, the state has phased out a tax break previously available for EVs.

EVXL’s Take

The expansion of New Jersey’s EV incentive program is a significant step towards making electric vehicles more accessible. Programs like Charge Up+ not only support the state’s clean energy goals but also address affordability concerns for lower-income residents. As we see more states adopting similar initiatives, the future of EVs looks promising. For more on how states are promoting EV adoption, check out our recent articles on Tesla and GM.

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