PSEG To Invest $166M In Electric Vehicle Charging Stations In NJ

NEWARK, NJ — PSE&G has gained its second big go-ahead from the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities in January, and it’s a big win for electric vehicle owners in the Garden State, officials say.

On Wednesday, the board approved a settlement that will allow PSE&G to seriously beef up the state’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure. With the approval, the state’s largest utility is expected to invest $166 million over six years, creating roughly 270 “direct clean energy” jobs.

People can expect to see more charging stations at apartment buildings, government facilities, public parking lots and “high-traffic” corridors such as the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway.

According to PSE&G, which has a headquarters in Newark, the investment will help to reduce “range anxiety,” the fear that an electric vehicle will run out of power before reaching a place to plug in. It’s one of the most cited worries from drivers who don’t want to make the switch from gas-powered cars, the company said.

But as more people switch to electric vehicles, it will mean cleaner air throughout New Jersey, PSE&G stated: cars, trucks and buses are the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the state.

PSE&G’s program is expected to avoid 14 million metric tons of carbon emissions through 2035, the company said.

PSE&G said that it will not own the EV chargers, but instead will “support the infrastructure needed to place chargers throughout its service territory.”

“The scarcity of public and private charging infrastructure discourages more people from driving electric vehicles,” said Karen Reif, vice president of PSE&G’s Renewables and Energy Solutions group.

“PSE&G’s program will address those concerns and is designed to encourage people to make the switch to clean-running EVs and to help New Jersey enjoy the environmental and health benefits that will result from electrifying the transportation sector,” Reif said.

• See related article: New Jersey Drivers Warming Up To Electric Vehicles, Study Says

Wednesday’s action from the board follows a decision earlier this month to allow PSE&G to invest about $700 million to provide its 2.3 million electric customers with “smart meters” – the largest campaign in state history.

• See related article: PSEG Gets Green Light From NJ To Roll Out $700M Smart Meter Plan

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