New Jersey Drivers Warming Up To Electric Vehicles, Study Says

If you think you’ve been seeing more electric cars on the roads of New Jersey, you may be right. The sale of electric vehicles is blooming in the Garden State, with registration of model year 2016 plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) up 79 percent from 2015, according to a recent analysis by ChargEVC, an industry advocacy nonprofit group.

New Jersey now has over 10,000 PEVs on the road, 60 percent of which have been sold in the last two years, the study claims.

“Interest in these cars is growing,” ChargEVC CEO Pam Frank said. “We expect this trend will continue as more affordable vehicles with longer range become available in the next 24 to 36 months.”

• See related article: Tesla To Open Electric Car Service Center In Cherry Hill

Other recent studies have lauded the benefits that electric vehicles could bring to New Jersey.

Last October, the American Lung Association estimated that the Garden State might be able to save more than $4 billion in healthcare and climate costs by 2050 if its drivers switch from gas-guzzling automobiles to zero-emission vehicles such as electric cars.

• See related article: N.J. Could Save $4B With Switch To Electric Cars and ZEVs

DRIVING GREENER IN NEW JERSEY

Electric vehicle charging stations have been popping up across the state with an increasing frequency in recent years.

In April, the Thomas Edison National Historical Park in West Orange received a jolt of juice when park officials switched on its first electric vehicle charging station, located in the laboratory complex’s visitor parking area.

• See related article: Thomas Edison National Park In West Orange Gets Electric

The ShopRite of Greater Morristown recently unveiled two Tesla capable charging stations in its parking lot, making it the first grocery store in New Jersey to do so.

• See related article: Tesla Charging Stations Unveiled At ShopRite Of Greater Morristown

In 2015, the Livingston Mall welcomed an electric vehicle charging station near the mall entrance between Barnes & Noble and Macy’s.

• See related article: Livingston Mall Now Has An Electric Vehicle Charger Station

In 2013, Newark became home to the state’s “largest electric-car charging station” at PSE&G’s headquarters in the city.

• See related article: State's Largest Electric Car Charging Facility Opens in Newark

Also that year, Camden County freeholders unveiled seven new electric vehicle charging stations through the county, touting the vehicles as the “wave of the future.”

• See related article: Camden County Flips Switch on 7 Electric Car Charging Stations

Montclair town officials struck a blow for electric car owners in 2013, when the Town Council approved a recommendation to designate several “electric only” parking spaces near charging stations in municipal lots.

• See related article: Where to Charge Electric Cars in Montclair

And if you’re looking for an owner’s endorsement of electric vehicles, talk to Chatham resident Chris Ravera.

• See related article: Mendham Resident Showcases Electric Car

Send local news tips, photos and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com

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