Energy

S 685 creates a 15-member "Fleet Conversion Task Force" within New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection to study the transition of commercial vehicle fleets (like delivery trucks and company vehicles) to zero-emission models. The task force will examine challenges such as costs for small businesses, coordinate with stakeholders including fleet operators, manufacturers, and environmental groups, and develop policy recommendations to support this shift. It directly affects commercial fleet owners, operators, and related industries by seeking solutions to reduce transportation emissions, which account for 38% of New Jersey's total greenhouse gases. The task force must hold public hearings, gather input from diverse sectors, and submit findings to the state within a set timeframe.

This bill (S 2333) requires New Jersey's Department of Transportation (DOT) to install and maintain highway exit signs that direct motorists to electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. It directly affects EV drivers traveling on designated highways, including Interstates and limited-access roads. The signs must follow federal design standards for traffic control devices, ensuring clear, consistent placement and sizing. The bill takes immediate effect upon enactment.