EMPOWER Spotlight – Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA)
- EMPOWER
- Jul 10
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 14
Key Facts
Workplace Location: Egg Harbor Township, NJ
Workplace Size: 300+ Employees
Type of Workplace: Solid Waste Management and Wastewater Treatment Authority for Atlantic County, NJ
Charger Details: Eight Level 2 dual-port chargers (16 ports total)
Solid Waste Complex: Four Level 2 dual-port chargers available to both employees and the public
Wastewater Treatment Complex: Four Level 2 dual-port chargers for employees and facility guests.
Upcoming Installations:
Two dual-port direct current (DC) fast chargers on order, to be installed at the Wastewater Treatment Complex for public use
Level 2 chargers planned for installation at the Recycling Center
Upcoming chargers funded by two NJ Board of Public Utilities grants: $100,000 EV Tourism Grant and $15,000 Clean Fleet Grant
Program Details:
All existing chargers were installed over a 15-year period, beginning in 2014.
Initial installations were driven by efforts to reduce operational emissions at ACUA facilities, in accordance with a local regulatory agreement.
ACUA’s workplace charging program has evolved over the last 15 years and is currently transitioning from a free-to-charge model to a fee-based, time-limited session model.
Many of the oldest EV chargers in ACUA’s fleet have been replaced to improve vehicle compatibility and networked capabilities.
Interest from employees and the public has sustained and motivated the growth of ACUA’s EV workplace charging program.
The expansion of EV charging infrastructure has encouraged more employees to adopt EVs.
ACUA has utilized the EMPOWER EV Coach to identify funding opportunities and collaborate with local stakeholders in support of EV charging initiatives.
Organization Background
The Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA) is a public agency dedicated to protecting local land and waterways through responsible waste management services. ACUA has been a proactive adopter of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and continues to modernize its network through renewable energy projects and charger upgrades.
Program Evolution and Growth
In 2014, ACUA installed two level 2 (L2) EV chargers at its main campus to comply with an administrative consent order and to reduce operational emissions. At the time, ACUA’s electrified fleet consisted of just one retrofitted EV, which was expanded to include a Nissan Leaf and a plug-in hybrid Toyota Prius. Soon after, surging popularity of new EV and hybrid EV models signaled the benefits of on-site EV charging infrastructure, and prompted ACUA to establish a workplace charging policy.
ACUA has expanded its infrastructure by installing two additional L2 chargers at its main facility and four more at its wastewater facility, totaling eight chargers with 16 ports. These chargers support ACUA’s operational electrification goals while also serving employees and the surrounding community.
Under its workplace charging policy, ACUA offers free charging to employees at two facilities and to members of the public at one location. This has significantly reduced fuel costs for EV drivers and encouraged greater EV adoption, particularly among ACUA staff. However, the policy also presents financial challenges. As usage increases, so does the cost of providing free charging. To address this, ACUA is exploring cost-reduction strategies such as implementing user fees and adopting vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, which would allow EVs to return power to the grid during peak demand periods.
Best Practices and Lessons Learned
To more swiftly electrify its operations and to bring greater charging access to the community, ACUA is in the process of expanding its EV charging infrastructure by adding two L2 and two direct current (DC) fast chargers across its facilities, bringing the agency total to 12 on-site chargers. New DC fast chargers will require new power connections to meet increased electrical load, but they will streamline medium- and/or heavy-duty EV deployment once the vehicle technology is market ready.
Currently, ACUA offers free access to its chargers for employees and private individuals. The agency’s policy asks users to limit charging sessions to four hours, adhere to designated charging hours posted on its website, and leave contact information in case of issues. Employees are also encouraged to rotate use of EV parking spaces throughout the day. However, enforcing these guidelines—particularly among private users—has proven challenging.
Looking ahead, ACUA plans to maintain convenient and publicly accessible charging locations. To improve compliance and manage growing demand, new public chargers will include a usage fee. This approach aims to balance accessibility with sustainability as the agency continues to support EV adoption.
Becoming an EV Champion
Since 2014, ACUA has leveraged several resources and partnerships to expand its EV charging program. First, ACUA has taken advantage of available grant and incentive funding to ease the upfront cost of EV charger deployment. Grant support from Atlantic County covered the cost of ACUA’s initial six chargers, and the agency continues to actively monitor and pursue new funding opportunities. This approach enables ACUA to expand its on-site charging infrastructure in ways that anticipate future technology upgrades and increases in electrical demand.
ACUA has found an instrumental partner in the New Jersey Clean Cities Coalition, which has supported its pioneering efforts in EV education within the community. For the past 10 years, ACUA has hosted Drive Electric and Earth Day events, showcasing a range of EVs to educate the public on their benefits and safety protocols. What began with a small handful of vehicles has expanded to include hybrids, e-micromobility options, and heavy-duty vehicles and equipment such as school buses. ACUA has also invited emergency first-responders to demonstrate best practices for shutting off batteries and preventing fires.
Thanks to its early and sustained implementation of EV charging infrastructure, its clear workplace charging policy, and its educational programming, ACUA has become a recognized EV charging champion in its community, now serving as a subject matter expert for Atlantic County’s EV-related questions, big and small.