A new Rutgers-Eagleton Poll suggests support for electric vehicles is fairly weak in New Jersey.
“Even as a dozen or so states across the country adopt the same regulations, New Jerseyans are divided on the matter of electric vehicles and the impact they will have,” reported Ashley Koning, director of the Eagleton Center for Public Interest Polling (ECPIP) at Rutgers. “It is an issue that is heavily influenced not only by partisanship but also by a hesitancy that likely stems from a widespread lack of information about the vehicles themselves and what the policy entails – not to mention the financial implications and the notable change this would cause in people’s everyday lives.”
Click here to see the full report.
The Advanced Clean Car II (ACCII) program is opposed by 50% of respondents to the survey, and only 30% believed the Murphy Administration electrical vehicle mandate would have a net positive impact on the economy. Only 19% believe it will have a net positive impact on their personal finances.
“The only groups where more are positive than negative about impact on the state economy are Democrats (42 percent) and Black residents (37 percent),” according to the polling report.
Eagleton’s polling results coming at a time when it’s been reported that the Biden Administration is considering loosening up its electric vehicle regulations in light of weak demand.
“Despite both federal and state-level incentives in recent years to encourage electric vehicle purchases, few already have one, and the rest of New Jerseyans are split as to whether or not they want one – even in light of the new policy,” added Jessica Roman, an ECPIP research associate. “The desire to own one may be a partisan issue, but the ability to comply can be a real economic issue for many New Jerseyans – or is at least perceived to be so.”
“Electric vehicles may become a tricky issue for candidates in election cycles to come – depending on which side of the aisle the candidate is on and the makeup of their electorate,” added Koning.
The poll consisted of 1,657 adults with a margin of error of +/- 2.8 percentage points.
