TRENTON — A bill to set up charging stations for electric cars along the state's toll highways cleared a Senate committee today 3-2. Legislators and environmentalists said the stations are key to cutting pollution, reducing U.S. foreign-oil dependency, and stimulating sales of electric vehicles as automakers prepare to launch many new models. The stations would be built at a...
Senator Linda Greenstein (R-Middlesex), in this January 2011 photo.TRENTON — A bill to set up charging stations for electric cars along the state's toll highways cleared a Senate committee today 3-2.
Legislators and environmentalists said the stations are key to cutting pollution, reducing U.S. foreign-oil dependency, and stimulating sales of electric vehicles as automakers prepare to launch many new models.
The stations would be built at a cost of $6,000 each in service areas on the New Jersey Turnpike, the Garden State Parkway and the Atlantic City Expressway. Transit authorities raised concerns about paying for the stations up-front and recovering the costs from drivers, as the bill currently stipulates. Bill sponsor Sen. Linda Greenstein (D-Middlesex) told the Environment and Energy Committee she is still figuring out how to fund the project, and legislators urged her to seek federal funds or private investors.
"Sen. Greenstein has a long road to go with this," said Sen. Bob Smith (D-Middlesex), the committee chair.
The bill was approved on a party-line vote, with Sen. Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth) and Sen. Christopher Bateman (R-Somerset) citing concerns about costs and time constraints. Transit authorities would have to get the stations up and running within one year of the law's passage.
Smith said the bill (S2603) was being advanced because it's a "pressing issue for the state."
Environmentalists praised the legislation and encouraged transit authorities to foot part of the bill, saying the stations are essential since electric cars only get so much mileage out of a full charge. Jeff Tittel of the Sierra Club said at least 10 all-electric and 10 hybrid models are coming out in the next two years.
"The turnpike authority is widening roads, they have plenty of money for that, but they should have some money for green technology as well," he said. "The cars are coming. We need to get that infrastructure moving."
Previous coverage:
• N.J. Assembly bill to give tax incentives for electric car purchases
• Energy companies approach Christie administration for N.J. plug-in stations for electric vehicles