TRENTON, NJ— The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection [DEP] announced today that it plans to use $11.2 million of New Jersey's share of the federal Volkswagen settlement for new electric NJ TRANSIT buses in the City of Camden, and hundreds of electric-vehicle charging outlets across the state.

The projects are the first to be announced for funding from the Volkswagen Mitigation Trust, from which New Jersey is receiving $72.2 million. Governor Phil Murphy has committed to using 15 percent or $10.8 million of the state's settlement amount for electric-vehicle charging stations.

The DEP will use $3.2 million to award grants for approximately 827 charging outlets at 533 charging stations under It Pay$ to Plug In — New Jersey's Electric Vehicle Charging Grant Program, more than doubling the number of non-residential charging outlets in the state.

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New Jersey has 786 charging outlets at 322 public locations across the state.

An additional $8 million is proposed to the Volkswagen Mitigation Trust for allocation to purchase eight new electric transit buses to be operated in the City of Camden.

"We are committed to growing charging infrastructure across New Jersey and making it easier for the public to help us improve air quality by using zero-emission vehicles," Commissioner Catherine McCabe said. "The new buses in Camden will be beneficial in helping to reduce harmful emissions that contribute to smog. Better air quality means better health for our communities and residents."

One focus of the funds will be on environmental justice to communities which are disproportionately impacted by pollution and resulting health impacts. The new electric buses in the City of Camden will be a step toward electrifying public transportation in New Jersey.

"The DEP is excited to work with NJ TRANSIT on this pilot project and looks forward to adding electric buses to the remainder of the fleet," said Paul Baldauf, assistant commissioner for air quality, energy and sustainability. "Providing the residents of Camden and surrounding areas with access to clean transportation, in addition to adding more charging stations around the region, is a priority."





Grantees in this first round of funding include 55 municipalities and counties, public parking lots and garages, apartment and condominium complexes, car-share services, hotels, private companies and nonprofit organizations. Charging stations also will be installed at select NJ TRANSIT commuter rail stations and at rest stops along the Atlantic City Expressway.

In addition to these projects, the DEP is evaluating more than $400 million worth of other project applications and expects to announce additional awards before the summer.

"We are pleased that this funding will help us pilot an electric bus program here in New Jersey to study in real-world scenarios the benefits and challenges of utilizing this alternate energy source," said NJ TRANSIT Executive Director Kevin Corbett. "Part of the NJ TRANSIT goal of providing world-class transportation services is to do so through the lens of environmental responsibility. By investigating the possibilities of alternate energy sources, we can advance our commitment to sustaining clean air throughout the state."

DEP's It Pay$ to Plug In program funds strategic deployment of electric vehicle charging stations across the state. The program offsets costs for the purchase and installation of charging stations at public places, workplaces and at multi-family housing complexes.

Launched in June 2016, the program has approved more than $900,000 to 70 grantees for 188 charging stations.

To learn more about the performance, availability and comfort of electric vehicles, as well as how to save money and reduce pollution, visit www.drivegreen.nj.gov.

For more information about the Volkswagen settlement and the DEP's Beneficiary Mitigation Plan, visit www.nj.gov/dep/vw/.