Car Dealers That Miss Zero Emissions Quota Could Be Barred from NJ Market

In five years, up to 19,000 plug-in electric vehicles could be sold in New Jersey. But the possibility that it may not happen is very worrisome to the state’s automotive retailers, who are supposed to achieve that goal.

Under a decade-old law, car dealers must ratchet up sales of zero-emission and hybrid vehicles dramatically in the next several years, or face draconian sanctions. The penalties could exclude car manufacturers from selling any of their vehicles in the state -- whether they are cleaner-running or more traditional models.

The first question that needs to be asked: Will consumers be interested in purchasing the more expensive zero-emission cars even as manufacturers rev up efforts to sell them? At least 14 plug-in vehicles are available to consumers, and more are on the way.

So far, the results are not encouraging. Auto retailers project plug-in vehicle sales will reach 905 units this year, according to James Appleton, president of New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers. In 12 years, 77,000 plug-in electric vehicles will have to be sold annually under the law, he said.

Read more at NJSpotlight.com

NJ Spotlight is an issue-driven news website that provides critical insight to New Jersey’s communities and businesses. It is non-partisan, independent, policy-centered and community-minded.