Bill > S769

Introduced Session

State law at P.L.2019, c.362 (C.48:25-1 et seq.) currently authorizes the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to offer financial incentives to consumers in the State to encourage their purchase or lease of light duty plug-in electric vehicles. This bill would expand this existing incentive program in order to additionally authorize the BPU to make financial incentives available to consumers to encourage their purchase or lease of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. The bill defines "hydrogen fuel cell vehicle" as a zero emission vehicle, as defined in section 11 of P.L.2003, c. 266 (C.54:32B-8.55), that is fueled primarily by hydrogen, but that may also have off-vehicle charge capability. The term would include any passenger car, station wagon, or other motor vehicle that is propelled by power derived from one or more cells that convert chemical energy directly into electricity by combining oxygen with hydrogen fuel. Under the bill's provisions, incentives offered for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are to be limited to a maximum amount of $5,000 per eligible vehicle and are to be calculated in a manner deemed appropriate by the board. Like the light duty plug-in electric vehicle incentives currently offered under the State's vehicle incentive program, the new hydrogen fuel cell vehicle incentives are to be made available under the program until June 30 of the tenth year following the original date of the program's establishment under P.L.2019, c.362. In addition to the new incentives established in the bill, receipts from the sale of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are also exempt under existing law, from the State Sales and Use Tax, pursuant to the current exemption for zero emission vehicles established by section 11 of P.L.2003, c.266 (C.54:32B-8.55).

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Gordon Johnson (D)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee (on 01/09/2024)

Official Document