So you‘re interested in joining the EV revolution sweeping across New Jersey. You‘ve seen the latest models from Ford, Hyundai, and Tesla touting 300+ mile ranges. Governor Murphy keeps announcing big goals to tackle climate change by phasing out gas-powered cars. Your neighbor raves about barely spending anything to charge his Nissan Leaf. But you still have some reasonable questions before taking the all-electric plunge yourself:
- Can I easily find places to charge an EV where I live and drive regularly?
- How much would it really cost me to run an electric car in New Jersey?
- What rebates, tax credits, and other incentives make EVs affordable here?
- Will insurance or maintenance be cheaper compared to what I pay now?
This guide examines all aspects of owning an electric vehicle in New Jersey, from charging logistics to operating costs and purchase incentives. You‘ll get answers to your pressing questions, handy cost comparisons to gas cars, and profiles of actual NJ EV owners on their experience ditching gasoline. Let‘s dig in!
Charging Your EV in New Jersey
Access to convenient, reliable public charging remains a major priority for prospective EV buyers unsure about relying solely on home charging.
The good news? New Jersey continues expanding charging ports across the state to meet demand. Here is a snapshot of where the state‘s 3,200+ public charging connectors are currently located:
| City | Total Charging Stations | DC Fast Charging Ports |
|---|---|---|
| Trenton | 208 | 38 |
| Atlantic City | 129 | 26 |
| Newark | 123 | 18 |
| Jersey City | 107 | 22 |
Trenton leads for connector availability, while Newark and Jersey City also offer abundant charging opportunities. Atlantic City‘s tourism market also makes heavy investments into DC fast charging for visitors.
Beyond public charging expansion, New Jersey offers rebates up to $500 off the typical $1,100-$1,600 cost of installing faster Level 2 chargers at home through utilities like PSE&G. This ensures you can conveniently recharge overnight.
Bernie Myers, president of EV advocacy group Drive Electric Jersey, emphasizes that "over 90% of charging happens at home, so making it affordable and convenient for residents to install home charging stations has been just as important as the growth in public infrastructure."
Just How Much Does It Cost to Charge an EV in New Jersey?
Saving money on fuel ranks among the most popular reasons New Jersey drivers decide to go electric. But exactly how much does it cost to charge up compared to gassing up?
Based on New Jersey‘s current average residential electricity rate of $0.164 per kWh, here‘s a breakdown of expected full charge costs for some popular EV models:
| EV Model | Battery Capacity | Cost Per Full Charge |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 Nissan Leaf | 39 kWh | $6.40 |
| 2023 Ford Mustang Mach E | 75 kWh | $12.30 |
| 2023 Kia EV6 | 77.4 kWh | $12.70 |
| 2023 Tesla Model 3 Long Range | 78 kWh | $12.80 |
Depending on your driving needs, that equates to $0.03-$0.05+ per mile driven on electricity. Compared to 25 MPG gas cars paying over $4 per gallon in New Jersey, EVs offer substantial fuel savings for most drivers. Of course, costs may vary slightly depending on your utility provider and charging habits.
Carol Hayes traded in her Subaru Outback for a Chevy Bolt EV last year and has logged nearly 15,000 electric miles already. She explains: "I‘m averaging over 4 miles per kWh, so even with higher electricity rates nowadays, I‘m spending around $4 for a ‘full tank‘ that lasts me a few days rather than $50+ per fill up at the gas pump. The savings add up quick!"
Just How Much Could You Save by Going Electric in New Jersey?
Between incentives, fuel savings, and reduced maintenance costs, electric vehicle owners stand to save thousands over the total life of ownership compared to gas car drivers. But let‘s break down those savingscomponents in more detail:
Purchase Incentives
Thanks to policy initiatives like Governor Murphy‘s "Charge Up New Jersey" program, EV buyers are eligible for:
- Up to $5,000 purchase rebate for new EVs with 150+ mile range
- No state sales and use tax (~6.5% savings or $3,500 on $55K EV)
- Federal tax credit up to $7,500 depending on automaker
That means over $15,000 in potential purchase incentives for new Jersey EV buyers depending on eligibility. Used EVs also qualify for rebates and tax exemptions under the state‘s EV Law.
Fuel Savings
Based on 12,000 miles of average annual driving with New Jersey gas prices around $4 per gallon, you would spend approximately $1,920 per year fueling a 25 MPG car. For an EV averaging 4 miles per kWh at NJ‘s electric rates, that same annual driving would cost around $790 in electricity.
Over 5 years, you save $5,650 alone on fuel by driving electric. More miles equals more savings as electricity remains far cheaper per mile than gas.
Reduced Maintenance
EVs generally require less routine brake, oil, and other maintenance checks. Electric motors have fewer moving parts and liquids than complex gas engines and transmissions. While EVs do require periodic battery monitoring, you avoid expensive replacements like starters, alternators, timing belts, and other parts prone to eventual failure in gas cars.
Industry experts estimate at least $3,500 in lifetime maintenance savings for the average EV over 150,000 total miles compared to a gas-powered vehicle.
Conclusion: The Electric Route Saves You $15,000+ In New Jersey
Between incentives cutting purchase costs, cheaper electricity over gas, and reduced maintenance requirements, electric vehicles promise over $15,000 lifetime savings in New Jersey on average compared to traditional gasoline vehicles.
As charging infrastructure continues expanding across the state, range anxiety worries also decrease with each new fast charging hub installed along busy corridors. In fact, current EV models now reliably deliver 200+ miles per charge – more than enough for even most road trip needs.
So if you‘ve been itching to ditch soaring prices at the gas pump, reduce your environmental impact, and even tap into carpool perks in New Jersey, going electric looks extremely enticing based on the math. Test drive something like Nissan‘s 2023 Ariya or Hyundai‘s IONIQ 5 at your local dealer, then crunch the numbers yourself using the cost comparisons above.
Chances are excellent you‘ll soon join over 150,000 other New Jersey drivers and growing who use watts instead of gallons to power their daily commute! Let us know your experiences making the EV switch in the comments below!
