NJ Transit awards contract to advance electric bus program in Camden

Sept. 10, 2020
The electric vehicle infrastructure at Newton Avenue Garage will support the battery-electric bus pilot program in Camden.

The Electric Bus Infrastructure Project for the Newton Avenue Bus Garage in Camden, N.J., was approved by the New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit) Board of Directors, which will renovate the facility for the installation of eight electric vehicle chargers (EVC).

This project focuses on supporting the operation of NJ Transit’s first battery powered commuter vehicles—eight battery-electric buses that will be put into revenue service in mid-2021.

“Aligned with [New Jersey] Gov. [Phil] Murphy’s Energy Master Plan, the contract authorized by our board helps bring New Jersey one step closer to achieving the state’s goal to transition to 100 percent clean energy by 2050,” said NJ Transit President and CEO Kevin Corbett. “It also aligns with NJ Transit’s new 10-Year Strategic Plan, NJT2030, and our 5-Year Capital Plan, which both identify and prioritize the need for bus garage modernization to underpin an all-electric fleet by 2040. NJ Transit remains wholly committed to electrification and moving toward a zero-emissions fleet.”

In January, Gov. Murphy signed legislation establishing goals to increase the use of zero emissions vehicles in New Jersey.

  • By Dec. 31, 2024: at least 10 percent of new bus purchases will be zero emission buses.
  • By Dec. 31, 2026:  at least 50 percent of new bus purchases will be zero emissions buses.
  • By Dec. 31, 2032:  100 percent of new bus purchases will be zero emissions buses.

Scalfo Electric, Inc., was awarded the contract of $3.235 million to renovate the Newton Avenue Bus Garage with electric vehicle charging stations and other associated infrastructure modifications.