Edison, NJ — Assemblywoman Nancy Pinkin and Assemblyman Robert Karabinchak joined with Environment New Jersey Research & Policy Center and Jersey Renews to take electric car — and the promise of a zero carbon transportation future for New Jersey — for a test drive during National Drive Electric Week. Edison residents tried out cars like the Audi eTron, Chevy Volt, and Tesla Model 3 at Lake Papaianni Park, after local leaders and environmental advocates called for policies that ease the transition to cleaner, greener, electrified vehicle travel in New Jersey.
“Electric vehicles are here now, and New Jersey needs to do more to make it easier to plug in,” said Doug O’Malley, director of Environment New Jersey Research & Policy Center. “Electrifying our transportation sector is one of the most critical things we can do to fight air pollution and climate change. By taking steps to improve our EV infrastructure and accelerate the transition to electric transportation, New Jersey can create a roadmap for other states to follow. But we need to provide more resources and funding to communities like Edison to install more EV charging stations around the state.”
Climate change is a major threat to New Jersey, with more than 300,00 people living in coastal areas in danger from rising sea levels, flooding, and more frequent and devastating storms. The state is warming at twice the rate of the United States. In response to the challenge of climate change, Governor Phil Murphy’s proposed Energy Master Plan (EMP) calls for increased electric vehicle infrastructure as well as a transition to clean energy to reduce carbon emissions. The EMP’s public comment period closed on Monday, and the plan will be under review by the Board of Public Utilities until the end of this year.
