Search Federal and State Laws and Incentives

Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Production Requirements and Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) Standards

New Jersey has adopted the California motor vehicle emissions standards and compliance requirements specified in Title 13 of the California Code of Regulations. Manufacturers must meet the greenhouse gas emissions standard and the ZEV production and sales requirements. Under the state’s LEV program, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection allows manufacturers who sell or lease qualified LEVs to earn and bank vehicle equivalent credits. For more information, see the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection LEV Program website.

(Reference New Jersey Administrative Code 7:27-29.1 through 7:27-29.14)

Clean Truck Replacement Program

The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey’s (PANYNJ) Truck Replacement Program (Program) provides funding for the replacement of eligible Class 8 trucks with model year (MY) 2014 or newer diesel vehicles. Eligible replacement trucks must meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency heavy-duty vehicle standards. Funding is available for up to 50% of the replacement truck purchase price, up to $25,000, whichever is less. Vehicles eligible for retirement include Class 8 port drayage trucks with MY 1998 through 2006 engines. Funding is limited to two replacement trucks per applicant. Additional rules and conditions apply. For more information, see the PANYNJ Program website.

Clean Truck Port Requirements

Port drayage trucks must meet or exceed Model Year 2010 engine federal emissions standards to access the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey (PANYNJ) marine terminals. Drayage trucks operating on liquefied or compressed natural gas, electricity, or hybrid electric technology are exempt from these requirements. For purposes of this rule, drayage trucks are defined as on-road vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 33,001 pounds or greater and intended to load, unload, or transport cargo from PANYNJ terminals. Additional rules apply. For more information, see the PANYNJ Drayage Truck Registration website.

Volkswagen (VW) Settlement Allocation

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) must approve the allocation of any funds the State receives from the VW Environmental Mitigation Trust. Any funds received from the Trust are deposited in a non-lapsing VW Environmental Mitigation Fund. NJDEP and the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting will ensure that the funds are distributed in alignment with the purpose of the VW Mitigation Trust Agreement. NJDEP will approve criteria for grants awarded on a competitive basis.

Funding is available for projects that convert diesel trucks, buses, port equipment, marine vessels, and trains to electric power and for electric vehicle charging infrastructure projects. For more information, including how to apply and a list of eligible projects, visit the NJDEP Drive Green website.

(Reference Senate Bill 2019, 2018)