New Jersey Economic Development Authority
At a Glance
Industry
Government/Public Administration
Project Types
Clean and Renewable Energy, Zero Emission Vehicles, Freight and Logistics, Goals/Targets
Year
2021
Location
Newark, NJ
Summary
Jesse Duran researched and provided an outline for an incentive program for second-hand medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles. Jesse also proposed process improvements for an existing voucher incentive pilot program.
Goals
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority is now implementing the NJ ZIP, a medium-duty voucher pilot program that provides vouchers for up to $100,000 to businesses and other organizations in the greater Newark and Camden areas, to support the purchase of zero-emission medium-duty vehicles. The NJEDA challenged Jesse Duran to identify opportunities for process improvement of the existing program as well as to research and propose a sister program to broaden access to zero-emission vehicle technology and reduce emissions within New Jersey.
Solutions
- Conduct internal stakeholder interviews to document the existing NJ ZIP process and determine sticking points and areas for potential improvement of flow.
- Research and propose a second-hand zero-emission vehicle program for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. Responsibilities included: Performing research of American and European incentive programs; creating a project plan; conducting stakeholder outreach with advocacy organizations and Original Equipment Manufacturers to identify challenges; researching upcoming and existing legislation and regulation; and recommending solutions aligned to the NJEDA’s organizational procedures to incentivize a second-hand market.
- Research methods to assess second-hand electric vehicles’ quality and related pricing structure.
Potential Impact
The programs that that were researched and assessed are designed to make zero-emission vehicle sales happen. By directly supporting closing the price gap between zero-emission vehicles and their internal combustion counterparts, these programs both have a direct impact on the industry.
In 2021, assuming NJ ZIP is fully subscribed at $15M in voucher requests, Jesse estimated that this would annually offset up to 69 million diesel miles with zero emissions; reducing harmful emissions, especially in communities disproportionately impacted by transportation emissions, and creating economic opportunity within the state. An expansion of the program to $25M, with improved processes, could increase that impact by 60%.
As for the second-hand zero-emission market, Jesse proposed a $2M pilot program that is intended to remove 20 dirty diesel MHDV from the road, replacing them, and any future sales, with lower or zero-emission used vehicles, and setting the grounds for the second-hand market of medium- & heavy-duty vehicles in New Jersey. This proposal was submitted to EDA for their review at the end of his term.