CAMDEN, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — Tuesday is the first online information session for a new program that gives business owners vouchers for buying electric vehicles. As of now, $15 million is available to start from New Jersey's Economic Development Authority.
"The particular program is designed to reduce the upfront cost of buying a zero emission vehicle and bringing it closer to the cost of buying a traditional gas or diesel fuel vehicle," said senior project officer Victoria Carey.
Carey said companies in logistics have expressed interest in the vouchers to buy vans or small trucks for deliveries. She added it could benefit anyone who moves people or products.
"We're also talking to businesses that operate shuttle buses, for example, so local community centers or local jitney services," she shared.
"We've spoken to companies that are even smaller, micro-businesses who are either individual owner operators of trucks. Maybe they rent out their services as contractors."
Businesses within 10 miles of Camden or Newark are eligible.
"We've seen it successfully implemented in other states," she said, "breaking down that number one barrier, which is the high upfront costs of these vehicles."
To learn more about the NJ ZIP program or to sign up for the webinar, head to the program's website.
