NJ’s First Electric Vehicle Fast Charging Station Unveiled At Duke Farms

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — New Jersey's first electric vehicle (EV) fast charging station has opened in Somerset County and is powered by electricity from an on-site solar energy system.

The station, unveiled at Duke Farms along the Route 206 corridor, offers two high-speed chargers capable of delivering 150kW of charging power. Drivers can add more than 130 miles of range in just 15 minutes. Additional lower power chargers will support the needs of other drivers with more extended stays at Duke Farms.

"The new EV charging station, powered by our on-site solar array, demonstrates our commitment to sustainability leadership. By investing in this critical infrastructure and pursuing innovative public-private partnerships, we are accelerating the transition to clean transportation," said Margaret Waldock, executive director of Duke Farms. "We hope this project will encourage others to take bold steps towards emission-free mobility as well. The climate crisis demands urgent action, and Duke Farms is proud to help lead the way to support creative, transformative solutions for a more sustainable and equitable future."

This station is one of the first in New Jersey to combine utility incentives from PSE&G with grant funding from the NJ Department of Environmental Protection. Solar panels on-site will supply 100 percent of the electricity needed for the chargers.

"The DEP commends Duke Farms on the opening of this fast-charger station, which is a natural fit for a place that has long stood for environmental stewardship and sustainability. In addition to being ideally situated within the Route 206 corridor, the location for this station provides amenities such as restrooms and a café amid a beautiful natural setting. Projects such as this bring us one step closer to achieving Governor Murphy’s bold, nation-leading clean energy goals that will lead to a healthier, sustainable and more resilient future for New Jersey," said Peg Hanna, Director of the NJDEP Division of Climate Change Mitigation and Monitoring.

PSE&G Renewables and Energy Solutions Vice President Karen Reif explains, "As we inaugurate Duke Farms' charging facility, PSE&G reaffirms our commitment to sustainable energy solutions, spanning from transmission and energy efficiency to resilient grid infrastructure. Together, we are driving the state and its communities towards a cleaner and electrified future, one that resonates with our vision for a greener tomorrow."

New Jersey has multiple goals for 400 fast chargers for electric vehicles, 1000 level 2 chargers by 2025, and 2 million light duty plug-in electric vehicles by 2035.

"By coupling the EV chargers with on-site solar, the project also demonstrates the important link between renewable energy and electric transportation, both of which are key pillars of the clean energy transition," said Jon Wagar, Deputy Executive Director of Operations. "This project advances Duke Farms' mission of restoring the natural environment and investing in sustainability innovation by transitioning to zero-emission energy sources. As a representation of nationwide development changes, the strategies demonstrated at the center serve as a proof of concept for more practical learning, enabling other organizations and municipalities to take steps towards becoming carbon-negative and nature-positive."

Duke Farms is a 2,700-acre center for environmental stewardship in Hillsborough. For more information, visit www.dukefarms.org.