Jersey City Announces Plan to Transform Municipal Fleet to Electric Vehicles

Jersey City issued the following press release today concerning the municipality’s plan to transform its fleet of vehicles to electrically powered from gasoline and diesel powered.

Mayor Fulop Advancing as Leader in Green Technology, Transforming NJ’s Largest Municipal Fleet to most Expansive EV Fleets in the Country

Jersey City 1st to Introduce Electric Police Cars & Garbage Trucks under Executive Order for Full Electrification by 2030

JERSEY CITY – Mayor Steven M. Fulop announced today the expansive implementation of electric vehicles throughout Jersey City’s municipal fleet to become the first on the East Coast with fully electric garbage trucks and some of the first EV Police response vehicles.  The infrastructure advancements to New Jersey’s largest municipal fleet fall under the Mayor’s Executive Order to require 10% of all new municipal fleet vehicles to be fully electric this year where available, with a goal of 100% of new municipal fleet vehicles to be fully electric by 2030.

“As an administration, we have sought out innovative and resourceful ways to build a foundation for a more resilient and sustainable future, which is critical now more than ever amid the current crisis,” said Mayor Fulop.  “Transitioning to greener technology is a cost-saving, long-term investment benefiting our environment and our residents’ health.  We’re leading the country in electrification, utilizing grants and community feedback to build an infrastructure that will serve as a model for others around the nation.”

“Mayor Fulop is turning Jersey City into a national leader when it comes to the environment and dealing with climate change. The Mayor is putting the pedal to the medal in electrifying the city’s transportation fleet, including police cars and garbage trucks. In an area like Jersey City, cars and trucks are major sources of pollution. This will help everyone breathe easier while moving forward when it comes to cleaner transportation,” said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “Mayor Fulop has also committed to go 100% renewable and is moving the city forward with a Climate Action plan. He is an environmental leader and is now accelerating Jersey City into the future when it comes to clean transportation.”

The city has rapidly transitioned toward a greener future, implementing the following initiatives in just the last year:

All new vehicles purchased in 2020 have been fully electric (8 total)

1. 1st municipality on the East Coast to purchase 5 fully electric garbage trucks through a $2 million NJDEP grant the city was selected for out of 150 proposals
2. 4 fully electric police vehicles to pilot JCPD fleet shift
3. 24 EV charging stations installed for municipal and public use across the city, purchased through a $76,000 NJDEP grant
4. Established the first EV-only parking zones in NJ at EV charging stations to help foster public adoption
5. Jersey City Via rideshare service is one of the 1st transit services in the country to use EVs with over 10% of the current fleet being fully electric
6. New solar panels installed at DPW provide electricity to the building and EV charging stations through the 1.23 Megawatt solar array
7. City’s first car-sharing program optimizes the size and efficiency of all fleet vehicle operations eliminating underused vehicles to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions
8. Replaced 8 older, less efficient gas-powered vehicles with 4 Nissan Leafs

“While Jersey City has been awarded several NJDEP grants to subsidize much of the initial electrification costs and vehicle purchases, the significantly reduced energy and maintenance costs for EVs will allow these investments to pay for themselves over the course of a few years,” said Business Administrator Brian Platt.  “The 5 electric garbage trucks will be among the first of its kind in the nation and even around the world, and will replace 8 of our highest polluting vehicles in the city.  Reductions in harmful pollution and emissions and also lower fleet operation costs will greatly benefit our city for years to come.”

The electrification efforts underway are part of the city’s celebration of 2020 as the Year of Climate Action through the creation of the city’s first-ever Climate Action Plan, which will lay out a strategic framework for how to meet Jersey City’s Climate Goals. If you would like to find out more about the city’s efforts on Climate Change, please visit www.makeitgreen.org/climate-action.