Holly Schepisi, the state senator for New Jersey’s 39th District, expressed her strong opposition to electric vehicle mandates, citing infrastructure shortfalls and unaffordable costs. She made these remarks during an interview.
“I adamantly oppose the EV mandates,” said Holly T. Schepisi, District 39. “We do not have the needed electrical infrastructure to support such mandates. The costs associated with these mandates are cost prohibitive for many. particularly as our utility rates are increasing by another 20+% in June.”
According to NJ.gov, in December 2023, New Jersey officially adopted the Advanced Clean Cars II (ACCII) regulations. These regulations require that by 2035, all new light-duty vehicle sales must be zero-emission vehicles. The policy aligns New Jersey with California’s clean vehicle standards and aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector. The regulations will take effect with the 2027 model year, offering a phased approach for manufacturers to meet the zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) sales targets.
As reported by Reuters, in September 2024, New Jersey had more than 100,000 registered electric vehicles (EVs), placing it among the top ten states for EV registrations. This growth indicates a significant increase in EV adoption; however, the expansion of public charging infrastructure has not kept pace, raising concerns about meeting future demand.
Beginning June 1, 2025, residential electricity rates in New Jersey are projected to rise between 17.23% and 20.20%, depending on the utility provider. According to North Jersey, these hikes are due to rising costs associated with maintaining and upgrading the electrical grid. The increases will impact household energy expenses, including the cost of charging electric vehicles at home.
Schepisi has served in the New Jersey State Senate since March 2021, representing the 39th Legislative District after serving in the General Assembly from 2012 to 2021. She holds a B.A. in politics and psychology from The Catholic University of America and a J.D. from Fordham University School of Law. Her legal career includes work as a municipal attorney, public defender, and prosecutor. Schepisi resides in River Vale and serves on both the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee and the Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens Committee.
