TRENTON, N.J. — Gov. Phil Murphy and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection on Wednesday announced $20 million in grants to expand electric school bus fleets and install more public charging stations as part of the state’s National Drive Electric Month celebration.
The funding will be split between two programs: $10 million through the Electric School Bus Grant Program to help districts and contractors replace diesel buses with battery-electric vehicles, and $10 million through the EV Charging Grant Program to install charging stations near multi-unit housing and transit hubs.
“By making this funding available, we further our commitment to lowering emissions and powering our public transportation with clean vehicles,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “These electric buses are long-term investments in the health and safety of New Jersey’s children. We are also dedicated to building out our charging infrastructure as more drivers go green.”
“National Drive Electric Month is the perfect time to highlight our commitment to a cleaner, more sustainable future,” said Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette. “Through these grant programs, we are taking significant steps to reduce our carbon footprint, improve air quality, and promote the use of electric vehicles across New Jersey.”
“Science is guiding our response to the overdose crisis, and harm reduction centers are a proven, life-saving linchpin in that strategy. By offering non-stigmatizing spaces that uphold the dignity of every person who walks through their doors, harm reduction centers meet people where they are, providing not only harm reduction supplies, but access to health care, treatment, and services,” said Acting Health Commissioner Jeff Brown. “I’m proud of New Jersey’s dramatic expansion of harm reduction centers. Now, people in every county can access evidence-based interventions that prevent overdoses and reduce infections.”
“The Sierra Club is pleased to see New Jersey continue to be a national leader when it comes to electric vehicle infrastructure and electrifying our school bus fleets,” said Anjuli Ramos-Busot, Director of the Sierra Club’s New Jersey chapter. “These historic investments are not only an investment in our children’s future, but in our clean air, in cleaner communities, and in reducing our carbon footprint overall. We thank Governor Murphy and the NJDEP for its commitment to making clean transportation more accessible for all across the state.”
The Electric School Bus Grant Program will cover up to $350,000 per bus and charging station for applicants serving overburdened districts and up to $320,000 for other applicants. The program also offers free technical support through the New Jersey Fleet Advisor program. Applications are due Sept. 26.
The EV Charging Grant Program, administered through DEP’s “It Pay$ to Plug In” initiative, will award up to $100,000 for each publicly accessible fast-charging port. Applications are due Oct. 25.
Officials said the Murphy administration has now directed more than half a billion dollars to EV initiatives, including cars, buses, charging stations, and other eMobility projects. The state has nearly 250,000 registered electric vehicles and more than 1,700 fast-charging ports, with the number of charging stations growing steadily each year.
More information is available at dep.nj.gov/stopthesoot/electric-school-bus-program and dep.nj.gov/drivegreen/dcfcsolicitation.
