Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) announced a $10 million award to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to build electric-vehicle (EV) charging stations, expanding access to cleaner vehicles and boosting the state’s climate-mitigation goals.
The grant will enable New Jersey to expand EV charging stations for residents of multi-family housing in low and moderate-income neighborhoods, underserved communities, and rural areas. It is part of the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program, created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Booker voted to support.
“A healthier, more sustainable future depends on expanding access to EVs, including for low-income and rural residents,” said Senator Booker. “Everyone deserves to benefit from the transition away from gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles to cleaner forms of transportation that will not only improve air quality and therefore health outcomes in our neighborhoods but also help combat the climate crisis that disproportionally impacts lower-income communities. This grant is made possible by the Biden Administration’s commitment to environmental justice for all communities.”
Administered by the Federal Highway Administration, the grant will help New Jersey fill gaps in EV charging infrastructure and target areas near transit stations to encourage the use of shared transportation services such as electric carshare and rideshare options.
In May 2023, Booker introduced the EVs for All Act, bicameral legislation that would increase access to EVs for residents of public housing, including by increasing EV car sharing services in public housing.
The latest federal award comes months after New Jersey leaders announced $10 million in state funding to accelerate buildout of EV charging-station infrastructure.