EDA seeking technical assistance providers, financial institutions to assist NJ ZIP applicants

If you are a technical assistance provider or a financial institution that’s looking to get business from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s Zero-Emission Incentive Program, the EDA itself may be able to help you.

The EDA is creating a publicly available database of providers that may be able to offer a variety of technical assistance and financial support to help applicants and participants purchasing commercial electric vehicles through the state’s NJ ZIP plan.

The NJEDA is encouraging technical assistance providers (such as consulting firms) and financial institutions wishing to provide assistance to complete this intake form.

For questions about NJ ZIP, send an email here.

The NJ ZIP pilot program is a first-come, first-served voucher program designed to incentivize the adoption of zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles by New Jersey businesses and institutions, especially those operating within overburdened communities. To date, the NJEDA has approved nearly $40 million in vouchers to over 225 entities, of which over 90% are small businesses.

The EDA, in partnership with Rutgers University, will offer to share the list of interested technical assistance providers and financial institutions, and their services, to current and potential NJ ZIP participants seeking help with a variety of aspects of electric vehicle purchasing and ownership.

The services provided by the technical assistance providers and financial institutions will be supplemental to those provided by Rutgers University via an agreement entered into earlier this year between the university and the NJEDA. Under the agreement, current and potential NJ ZIP applicants can each receive up to approximately 10 hours of free technical assistance. After that, interested parties can opt to use providers on this list to receive further assistance at their own expense.

Technical assistance services may include, but are not limited to:

  • Understanding electric vehicle types;
  • Operation and maintenance characteristics;
  • Charging/refueling requirements;
  • Performance characteristics.

Financial institutions would serve as a potential source of funding for businesses and organizations as they look to purchase electric vehicles. Engagement with this database is purely voluntary, EDA officials said.

All interested respondents will negotiate all financing terms and service fees directly with the NJ ZIP awardees or applicants and engage and enter into any agreement at their own risk. EDA officials stressed that inclusion in this list in no way serves as an endorsement or approval by the EDA.