Belleville Schools Add EV Chargers for Community Use

The Belleville Board of Education has installed electric-vehicle chargers at all 10 schools in the district, according to Belleville Public Schools and transportation nonprofit EZ Ride. The work was completed in May 2026, EZ Ride said, as the district also began developing a systemwide charging policy. Superintendent Dr. Erick Alfonso said the project is meant to serve staff who drive electric vehicles, modernize school facilities and support the district’s broader sustainability plans. District officials are also considering whether the chargers could be opened to Belleville residents in a later phase. ### How broad is the rollout in Belleville? EZ Ride said in a May 2026 post that Belleville completed charger installations at every district school and earned what the group described as EV Adoption Leadership recognition. The nonprofit said the district is “working to adopt a districtwide EV charging policy” alongside the completed buildout. Belleville Public Schools’ website identifies a 10-school district and lists Dr. Erick Alfonso as superintendent. That matches Patch’s report, surfaced through MSN, that the chargers were installed at all 10 district schools. ### Who is supposed to use the chargers first? Dr. Alfonso said the chargers are intended in part to provide access for staff members who already drive electric vehicles. (ezride.org) EZ Ride said the district sees the stations as a way to encourage broader EV adoption and reinforce its sustainability and innovation goals. In the same statement, Alfonso said public schools can “lead by example” and that visible sustainability projects can create opportunities for conversations with students, staff and residents. (bellevilleschools.org) EZ Ride framed the effort as part of Belleville’s clean-transportation planning rather than a standalone facilities upgrade. ### When could local residents be allowed to charge there? (ezride.org) EZ Ride said Belleville is exploring ways to make the chargers available to local residents in the future. The group said any public-access plan would need to balance operating logistics, policy questions and long-term sustainability goals. The same update said community access could generate revenue to offset costs. (ezride.org) Neither EZ Ride nor Belleville Public Schools published a start date for public use in the material reviewed, and the district’s public-facing website does not yet list a finalized EV charging policy. ### How does this fit into the district’s broader transportation plans? (ezride.org) EZ Ride said Belleville has already added electric school buses to its fleet and bought electric vehicles for administrative use through New Jersey’s EV grant program. The organization also pointed to the wind turbine at Belleville High School as part of the district’s wider sustainability work. (ezride.org) The New Jersey School Boards Association reported earlier that Belleville was adding electric school buses, showing the district’s EV push predates the charger rollout. That earlier reporting and the new charger installation place Belleville among districts using both fleet electrification and on-site charging infrastructure. ### What should residents watch for next? (ezride.org) Belleville Public Schools’ website lists the next Board of Education meeting for June 10, 2026. If the district moves ahead with public access, the charging policy or operating rules would likely surface through board materials or district announcements. EZ Ride said its next “Wheels & Watts” virtual meeting is scheduled for June 17 at 2 p.m. and will include guidance on EV charging policies and charging infrastructure. (njsba.org) The district has credited EZ Ride with helping on grants, certification and policy resources as Belleville decides how the new chargers will be used. (ezride.org) (bellevilleschools.org)