March 2025 CT

Electric Vehicles

By Briana Arvay, The Falcon Group

Kolonko/iStock/Getty Images Plus

W ith sustainable transportation on the rise, will the roar of the traditional engine soon be replaced by the quiet hum of a battery? Whether it is e-bikes, e-scooters or electric vehicles (EVs), more New Jersey residents are looking for alternatives to traditional-fuel transportation. In association with the New Jersey Clean Energy Program, Governor Phil Murphy set a goal of reg istering 330,000 EVs in New Jersey by 2025, which will reduce emissions from the transportation sector. As of the

well as newer manufacturers like Rivian and Lucid to name a few. Can everyone charge on the same charger? Unlike in years past, there are adapters that allow electric vehicles to use the same charging stations, regardless of the manufac turer. While Tesla uses a proprietary connector, many other automakers, including Volkswagen and BMW, have used the industry-standard CCS (Combined Charging System) connector. However, the availability and compatibility of chargers can vary depending on the region and network,

most recent reporting in September 2024, the number of EVs on the road has doubled since 2022 from approximately 91,000 to over 200,000 cars registered in the state. Despite the impressive figures, these numbers may imply an overstated adoption as they include two automotive categories (BEVs and PHEVs) that

which can pose a challenge for seamless charging across different EV brands. As a means of bringing uniformity to the EV landscape, major manufacturers are beginning to adopt the North American Charging Standard (NACS), which was pioneered by Tesla, as the new standard for manufacturing.

“What does this mean for charging infrastructure in our communities?”

are often lumped together as electric vehicles. Battery Electric Vehicles, or BEVs, are the traditionally known EVs that run fully on battery power. Alternatively, and growing in popularity, are the PHEVs, or Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles, that com bine internal combustion engines with electric motors and a battery. While BEVs are greener and more cost-effective in the long run, PHEVs allow for a longer extended range and the comfort of gasoline, for those who have yet to overcome “range anxiety”. Although the Tesla Model Y is still the most popular vehicle on the market, numerous established manufacturers, such as Volkswagen and BMW, continue to expand their offerings. Legacy companies such as General Motors and Kia are also promoting their new EV incorporated product lines, as

For the last three years New Jersey’s market share of EV sales has consistently exceeded the national average. What does this mean for charging infrastructure in our communities? While there have been numerous discussions about the future of electric vehicle charging, no major prog ress has been made since the last gubernatorial election. With the senate and governor’s race impending this fall, we can expect some revitalized conversations. Despite heavily encouraging the use of electric vehicles, in March of 2024 a bill was signed that requires EV owners to contribute to the Transportation Trust Fund (TTF); a fund that handles roadwork upgrades. This controversial bill was discouraging for many EV owners as there was an increase in the cost of ownership (albeit marginal to the cost of gas).

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MARCH 2025