Charge Up New Jersey 2026: EV Rebates & Charger Incentives
Charge Up New Jersey offers $1,500 on eligible new EVs in 2026, or $4,000 total with Charge Up+. See income limits, vehicle rules, Tesla eligibility, leases and the $250 charger incentive.
Updated September 6, 2026
New Jersey residents buying or leasing a new electric car in 2026 may be able to take $1,500 off the price at the dealership. Income-qualified shoppers who prequalify for Charge Up+ can receive $4,000 total.
That makes Charge Up New Jersey especially easy to use compared with rebate programs that require buyers to pay the full price and apply months later. For the standard incentive, the participating dealer handles the application and applies the savings at the point of sale.
There are important limits, though. The current vehicle incentive is for new battery-electric vehicles, the MSRP cannot exceed $55,000, and Charge Up+ shoppers must get their income eligibility approved before buying or leasing.
Funding and program rules can change. Always confirm current eligibility, vehicle requirements and funding availability with Charge Up New Jersey before purchasing or leasing a vehicle.
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Charge Up New Jersey 2026: Key Points
- Standard Charge Up rebate: $1,500.
- Charge Up+: an additional $2,500 for prequalified income-eligible shoppers, bringing the total to $4,000.
- Vehicle price cap: MSRP of $55,000 or less.
- Vehicle type: qualifying new battery-electric vehicles.
- Purchase or lease: both can qualify; the incentive amount is the same.
- Dealer: the transaction must go through a participating New Jersey dealership under program rules.
- Home charger: up to $250 toward the purchase of an eligible Level 2 home charger. Installation and permitting costs are not covered by the state charger incentive, although separate utility incentives may help with make-ready or installation costs.
- Current program year: the FY27 point-of-sale program began July 1, 2026.
Official program: Charge Up New Jersey
How Much Is The New Jersey EV Rebate?
| Program | 2026 Incentive | Key Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Charge Up New Jersey | $1,500 | Eligible new BEV with MSRP up to $55,000 |
| Charge Up+ | $4,000 total | Must prequalify based on income or another qualifying pathway before the transaction |
| In-Home EV Charger Incentive | Up to $250 | Qualifying charger and program requirements |
If you qualify for Charge Up+, the $4,000 is not $4,000 on top of the regular rebate. It is the $1,500 base incentive plus an additional $2,500.
What Is Charge Up+?
Charge Up+ is New Jersey's higher EV incentive for qualifying households.
For the FY27 program, applicants can qualify through income verification. Based on a 2025 tax filing, the maximum modified adjusted gross income is:
| Tax Filing Status | Maximum MAGI |
|---|---|
| Single | $75,000 |
| Head of household | $112,500 |
| Married filing jointly | $150,000 |
The program also provides qualifying pathways for certain applicants participating in approved public-assistance programs.
The critical rule is prequalification. You cannot buy the car first and then ask New Jersey to increase the $1,500 rebate to $4,000 afterward.
New Jersey says Charge Up+ review can take up to 10 business days, so apply before you are ready to sign a purchase or lease agreement.
If approved, your Charge Up+ prequalification ID is generally valid for 150 calendar days, or until the program pauses or closes, whichever comes first. Applicants who are claimed as a dependent on another taxpayer's state or federal income tax return are not eligible for the additional Charge Up+ incentive.
Check the current Charge Up+ eligibility rules
Which Cars Qualify For Charge Up New Jersey?
The current vehicle incentive applies to qualifying new battery-electric vehicles with an MSRP of no more than $55,000.
That means you should not assume every plug-in vehicle qualifies. In particular:
- Used EVs do not qualify for the current Charge Up vehicle incentive.
- Plug-in hybrids are not eligible for the current vehicle incentive.
- Vehicles above the $55,000 MSRP limit do not qualify.
- The vehicle's make, model and model year should appear on New Jersey's current eligible-vehicle list, and the vehicle's MSRP must remain within the program limit. Because available models and pricing can change, check the state's live list before placing an order.
There are dozens of eligible EVs, so the program is not limited to a small group of premium models.
Check the current Charge Up New Jersey eligible vehicle list
Does Tesla Qualify For Charge Up New Jersey?
Yes, qualifying Tesla Model 3 and Model Y configurations appear on New Jersey's current eligible-vehicle list.
Do not assume every Tesla configuration qualifies, however. MSRP and the state's live eligible-model list control eligibility, so check the exact version you plan to order before counting on the rebate.
Can You Get The New Jersey EV Rebate On A Lease?
Yes. Charge Up New Jersey applies the same incentive amount whether an eligible EV is purchased or leased.
Leases must satisfy the program's ownership and term requirements. The current rules generally require the original lease term to be at least 36 months.
Whether you buy or lease, the vehicle generally must remain owned or actively leased and registered in New Jersey for at least 36 consecutive months. Participants also generally must remain New Jersey residents for at least two years after the vehicle transaction. Selling, returning or transferring the vehicle too early, or moving out of New Jersey during the required period, can result in repayment of a prorated share of the incentive.
If you expect to move out of New Jersey soon or want a very short EV lease, read the current terms before using the rebate.
Why The Participating Dealer Matters
Charge Up New Jersey is designed as a point-of-sale incentive.
For the regular $1,500 rebate, you generally do not submit a separate consumer application after buying the car. The participating dealer applies the $1,500 savings to the eligible purchase or lease and requests reimbursement from the program.
That is convenient, but it also means the dealer and transaction matter.
For FY27, eligible transactions generally must take place on or after July 1, 2026 through a participating New Jersey dealer. If you order online, make sure the transaction and delivery satisfy New Jersey's rules rather than assuming residency alone is enough.
How To Get The $4,000 Charge Up+ Rebate
- Check your income eligibility.
- Apply for Charge Up+ prequalification before buying or leasing.
- Wait for approval. Do not assume approval will be instantaneous.
- Choose an eligible new BEV under the MSRP limit.
- Use a participating New Jersey dealer.
- Provide your Charge Up+ approval information before the transaction is completed.
- Confirm the full $4,000 appears correctly in your paperwork.
This is one of the cases where doing the incentive research before shopping can be worth thousands of dollars.
New Jersey's $250 Home EV Charger Incentive
Charge Up New Jersey also offers up to $250 toward the purchase of an eligible Level 2 home EV charger. The incentive is $250 or the purchase price of the charger, whichever is lower.
The charger must be new, installed at the applicant's New Jersey residence, appear on the program's eligible-equipment list and be connected to an approved Network Service Provider. Applicants also need a valid New Jersey EV registration and must provide the required purchase, installation and networking documentation.
The $250 state incentive does not cover installation or permitting costs. However, some New Jersey electric utilities offer separate incentives for charging infrastructure or make-ready costs, so it is worth checking your utility before installing a charger.
What Other New Jersey EV Incentives Should You Look For?
After Charge Up, check:
- Your electric utility for charging equipment, make-ready or EV-rate programs.
- Manufacturer and dealer discounts.
- Current EV lease promotions.
- Local or employer charging benefits.
For a broader search, see Coltura's EV incentives guide
What About New Jersey's EV Sales Tax Exemption?
New Jersey no longer exempts zero-emission vehicles from sales tax. The former exemption was phased out, and since July 1, 2025, qualifying electric vehicles have been subject to New Jersey's regular 6.625% sales tax rate.
EV owners should also account for New Jersey's additional zero-emission vehicle registration fee. For registrations from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, the additional fee is $270 per year, on top of the normal vehicle registration fee. The fee is scheduled to rise to $280 for the following year and $290 beginning July 1, 2028.
Those costs do not change your eligibility for the Charge Up New Jersey rebate, but they are worth including when you compare the full purchase and ownership cost of an EV.
Put The Rebate In Context
A $1,500 or $4,000 instant discount can make an EV considerably easier to fit into a car budget, particularly when it is combined with a competitive manufacturer or dealer offer.
But compare the full ownership picture too. Home charging, electricity rates, gasoline prices and your annual driving can have a large effect on what the vehicle costs you after you leave the dealership.
Use Coltura's EV savings calculator to compare those costs, or browse the least expensive electric cars if you are still choosing a model.
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Conclusion: Take the next step
Conclusion: Take the next stepNew Jersey's biggest advantage is simplicity: for an eligible EV, the standard $1,500 comes off at the dealership. If your household qualifies for Charge Up+, doing the prequalification work before shopping can raise that savings to $4,000.
Start with your eligibility, then the vehicle list, then the dealer. Once those three pieces line up, the rebate can make the switch to an EV much more attractive.
About Coltura: Coltura is a nonprofit working to accelerate the transition beyond gasoline to cleaner, cheaper, locally produced electricity. We provide independent EV information and tools but do not administer incentive programs or determine eligibility.
Disclaimer: Incentive funding, eligibility, deadlines, approved vehicles and stacking rules can change. This guide provides general information and does not guarantee eligibility. Confirm all requirements with the official program before completing a vehicle purchase, lease, charger installation or vehicle retirement.
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Charge Up New Jersey Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the New Jersey EV rebate in 2026?
The standard Charge Up New Jersey incentive is $1,500 for an eligible new battery-electric vehicle. A prequalified Charge Up+ applicant can receive an additional $2,500, for a total incentive of $4,000.
What is the Charge Up New Jersey income limit?
For Charge Up+ income qualification using a 2025 tax filing, the current maximum MAGI is $75,000 for single filers, $112,500 for heads of household and $150,000 for married couples filing jointly. Other qualifying pathways may also be available.
Do I need to apply for the regular $1,500 rebate?
The standard incentive is applied by a participating dealership at the point of sale. Charge Up+ is different: you must prequalify before completing the purchase or lease.
Can a used EV get the Charge Up New Jersey rebate?
No. The current Charge Up vehicle incentive is for eligible new battery-electric vehicles.
Do plug-in hybrids qualify?
No. Plug-in hybrids are not eligible for the current Charge Up vehicle incentive.
Does Tesla qualify?
Qualifying Tesla Model 3 and Model Y configurations are on the current eligible-vehicle list. Check the exact configuration before buying because MSRP and model eligibility matter.
Can I use Charge Up New Jersey on a lease?
Yes. Eligible purchases and leases receive the same incentive amount, subject to the program's lease-term and other requirements.
Does New Jersey offer an EV charger rebate?
Yes. Charge Up New Jersey offers up to $250 toward the purchase of an eligible Level 2 home charger. The charger must meet the program's equipment and networking requirements. The state incentive does not cover installation or permitting costs, although separate electric utility programs may help with charging infrastructure or make-ready expenses.
Does New Jersey still have an EV sales tax exemption?
No. New Jersey's zero-emission vehicle sales tax exemption has ended. Since July 1, 2025, EV purchases and leases have generally been subject to the state's full 6.625% sales tax rate.