In February of 2018, Atlantic City Electric (ACE) — one of the nation’s leading energy providers,supplying Southern New Jersey — began the long process of starting an EV charging station incentive program. While there were a few hurdles with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, the program was finally approved in February of 2021. Colloquially, this program is known as the Atlantic City EVsmart Make-Ready Program. It’s a multi-year rebate system designed to incentivize the adoption of new EV infrastructure by providing refunds to applicants, with a total budget of more than $40 million.
But, as is so often the case, it can be difficult to parse the language of the program, and equally difficult for potential applicants to figure out if they qualify. This article aims to simplify it so you can figure out your next steps.
What Does “Make-Ready” Mean?
Many rebates only cover charging device installation. But “make-ready” programs are different: They also cover expenses related to making the property capable of hosting an EV charger, including wiring, junction boxes and other improvements. ACE’s incentive is designed to work in tandem with other programs available in New Jersey by making your property ready to use those other incentives. At the moment, the qualifying incentive is “It Pay$ to Plug In”.
EV Charging Stations Atlantic City: Common Requirements
Many qualifications for these rebates are the same across the board. We’ll be listing those here…with one caveat. Public entities (such as parks and thoroughfares) have access to a special rebate program focused on level 3 “fast chargers.” For them, some requirements have minor technical differences. We’ve marked any requirements that change for that “fast-charging” program with an asterisk.
All rebates are limited to “new” charging infrastructure, meaning infrastructure for which construction and installation can be proven to have begun after February 17, 2021.
Site hosts are required to share charging data from chargers funded by the program with Atlantic City Electric.
All work must be completed by a licensed electrician.
The program is only valid from February 17, 2021, to December 31, 2026, or until program funds are fully exhausted.
Incentives are distributed on a per-port basis.
In situations where the person using the charger is not the one having it installed, the site host has the authority to set the price associated with using the charger.
All installations must be done in Atlantic City Electric’s service territory.
No single customer can take more than 20% of the program’s budget when one adds up all the locations they own.
Incentives are limited to installing qualified smart level 2 chargers, with a capacity between 3.8kW.
You must use a standard SAE J1772 level 2 connector.
Group-Specific Requirements
All other requirements for the program change according to the kind of customer and property they are being installed for. The different groupings are primarily multifamily dwellings (such as apartments), workplaces, commercial vehicle fleets, and public spaces (which, as we mentioned, have access to a separate incentive program). But, for the most part, it’s only a few particular details that change, namely…
The amount of money the rebates cover.
The number of charging ports one can install.
Who can apply for the program.
The “target” number of ports across a given group of eligible applicants.
Now let’s hit how these vary with each potential customer in turn.
Multifamily Dwellings
Covers 75% of make-ready costs, with a cap of $5,000 per port. For overburdened communities, this increases to 100% with a cap of $6,700 per port.
Covers a maximum of 10 ports per site.
Available to residents of the multifamily dwelling, or any entity that controls the property (such as landlords or homeowners associations). Usually, chargers are installed in shared spaces.
Target is 200 ports.
Workplaces
Covers 50% of costs, with a cap of $4,500 per port.
Covers a maximum of 10 ports per site.
Available to business and property owners.
No target number of ports given.
Target is 300 ports
Commercial Fleets
Covers 50% of costs, with a cap of $2,500 per port.
Covers a maximum of 10 ports per site.
Available only to customers with light-duty commercial vehicle fleets.
No target number of ports given.
Target is 150 ports.
Public Spaces (Level 2)
Covers 50% of costs, with a cap of $4,500 per port.
Covers a maximum of two ports per site.
Available to site owners in charge of spaces defined as “public land, a community location, or a travel corridor.”
Target of 1,000 charging ports.
Site hosts must guarantee public accessibility and operational functionality, and the charging stations must allow multiple forms of payment.
Public Spaces (DCFC)
This is the most unique group of the lot. While the qualified applicants are the same as those listed in the level 2 public spaces program, this version is focused on installing DCFC chargers. As such, many of the cost limits and technical requirements change.
Limited to qualified DCFC chargers with a minimum nameplate capacity of 50kW.
Stations with new charging connectors must also install at least one station with both an SAE CCS Combo and SAE CHAdeMo port.
Covers 90% of costs, with a cap of $60,000 per port (no, that is not a typo).
Limited to two ports per site.
Target of 100 charging ports.
Site hosts must guarantee public accessibility and operational functionality, and the charging stations must allow multiple forms of payment.
Get Ready With Atlantic City Electric
ACE’s make-ready program is highly substantial and covers an aspect of EV charger installation often ignored by other programs: the cost of making your property ready for chargers. As such, it works brilliantly in tandem with other programs, like the Department of Environmental Protection’s It Pay$ to Plug In grants.
Hopefully, the above has given you the information you need to know whether this program is right for you. For more information, read the Atlantic City Electric EVsmart Program Manual and start the application process today!
Sources
State of New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU)- State of New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, Agenda Date 2/17/2021 8F
Atlantic City Electric - About Us
Atlantic City Electric - EVsmart Residential, Multi-Family, Public, Workplace & Fleet Rebates
State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection - It Pay$ to Plug In:
NJ’s Electric Vehicle Charging Grant Program
Wednesday, October 22, 2025