Electric-car charging stations may get legislative jumpstart in N.J.

The New Jersey Assembly has approved legislation that would encourage the increased use of electric cars.

The measure gives tax breaks to individuals and companies for buying and installing electric vehicle charging stations.

Assemblyman Tim Eustace, D-Bergen, owns an electric car but doesn’t drive it to work at the statehouse.

“I can charge my car in my driveway but I can’t get it to here because there’s no place to charge it here,” Eustace said. “So if we want to grow the market, if we want to create sustainability, we need these charging stations all over the state.”

Supporters say the legislation also helps the environment because getting more electric cars on the road will mean less pollution from gasoline-powered vehicles.

If the measure becomes law, the tax credits would be available for three years.