Nearly 2,500 electric cars are registered in New Jersey — far fewer than the number on the road in some neighboring states, where more aggressive incentives are in place to encourage their purchase.

Tom Johnson reports today in NJ Spotlight:

But even those states with double the number of electric vehicles on the road — like Massachusetts and Maryland — need to significantly ramp up efforts to promote greater acceptance of the cars, according to a new report.

Those efforts include incentive programs for auto dealerships and consumers, public policies leading to widespread availability of consumer-friendly charging stations, and leading by example by using such vehicles in municipal and statewide fleets.

Clean energy advocates tout electric vehicles as an important tool in reducing harmful air pollution and curbing greenhouse-gas emissions. About 31,000 electric cars are on the road in 11 Northeastern and mid-Atlantic states as of this past August.

But that number pales in comparison with the goal set by six of those states who hope to see 1.7 million zero-emission vehicles on the road by 2025 under a regional program they have established to jointly promote and collaborate on policies to encourage their use. The Christie administration opted not to participate in the multi-state program in 2013.

Nationwide, about 1 percent of vehicles sold are electric cars.

The report, “Charging Up,’’ notes some auto dealers, state government agencies, and electric utilities are taking steps to accelerate adoption of electric vehicles, but more can be done.

Recent blog posts:
How has Pa managed to spend $27B without a budget? 
NYC City Council, gas lobby square off over biofuel 
Permit allowing more coal ash dumping in Pa challenged 
NJ joins 24 states is suing to block EPA’s Clean Power Plan 
12 companies paying to clean up Trainer Superfund site