The municipalities of Red Bank and Franklin Township, as well as businesses J&S Realty, Edge Auto Rental and Bryan Electric were all recently honored as Champions of Change by EZ Ride for their efforts to increase access to charging stations.
The groups all were awarded an EVAL, a new certificate from the U.S. Department of Energy that stands for Electric Vehicle Adoption Leadership.
EZ Ride, a transportation management association facilitating the program in New Jersey, which is facilitating the program, said the groups are doing their part to help the state reach its bold goals around EVs.
“Their initiative is being celebrated by a brand-new national certification program funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. It’s called EVAL, which stands for Electric Vehicle Adoption Leadership,” EZ Ride CEO Krishna Murthy said.
“EVAL helps promote businesses by highlighting their commitment to sustainable transportation and reducing pollution.”
EVAL certification is free until October 31. As of November 1, there will be a yet to be determined fee per property.
The Borough of Red Bank was one of the first municipalities to install charging stations over five years ago. Council Member Nancy Facey-Blackwood, and EV driver herself, encouraged other municipalities to follow Red Bank’s lead.
“If you provide places where people can easily charge their electric cars it reduces range anxiety,” she said. “That will in turn attract and retain talented employees, as well as shoppers and diners to your downtown and encourage others to drive electric.”
