Gen Z Student’s Mission is EV Adoption
19-year-old NJ Electric Vehicle Association member launches brokerage business to accelerate EV adoption. (Image Source: NJEVA Facebook page)
EV Terms in this Article | EV Tax Credits, EV State Rebates
Anthony Asuncion is the EVA’s 2022 Student of the Year.
Anthony Asuncion, recognized as “2022 Student of The Year” at the Electric Vehicle Association’s annual meeting in January, is a sophomore at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ, and is spreading the word about electric vehicles (EVs) and promoting EV adoption with his new business.
Of late, he has been searching for EV shoppers from all over New Jersey, into Pennsylvania, and New York. This new passion has turned into a business with a marketing budget, Asuncion purchasing online ads that attract more customers.
“I’ve been very adamant about EV adoption and getting everyone into driving electric,” says Asuncion.
EV Leasing and Negotiation Skills
Anthony leased his first EV, a 2020 Nissan LEAF SV, for $159 monthly. “That was with the highest mileage allowance. It would have been $111 per month if I’d gone for less,” says Asuncion. “I learned how to lease vehicles, manage and calculate the lease numbers and negotiate with dealers.”
From the LEAF, Asuncion moved on to a 2022 Kia Niro, a 2022 VW ID.4, a 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV, and a 2023 Tesla Model 3.
“Even though I live on campus, I enjoy driving up and down the state, to Philadelphia, New York, and the beach,” says Asuncion. “I’ve driven 45,000 zero-emission miles in two years.”
Finding EV Customers…His Friends
Asuncion persuaded his friends to consider an EV by helping them track down the best deals. “I realized with the launch of our state EV rebates in July of last year that having so many incentives could be confusing,” says Asuncion. “This was at a time with fluctuating gas prices, and many people wanted to go electric, but they didn’t know how to do it.”
Asuncion realized there was a need for convenience. “Many customers are deal hunters, but they don’t want to spend the time it takes to find the best one,” he says, explaining that he is experienced in connecting buyers with the inventory. “Getting a Chevrolet Bolt in New Jersey is challenging, but I can help.”
Asuncion launched his business and realized an opportunity from a VW dealership. He could offer a good deal on an ID4 and then expanded to Chevrolet and Nissan. Now, I’m working with Hyundai. Asuncion began charging a fee for his services of $200 to $450.
Presently, Anthony is working on his father. “My mom doesn’t drive that much. She wants to keep her ICE car forever,” says Asuncion. “But my Dad has a long commute, and I’ve been pushing him to switch to EV.
EV Education via the Electric Vehicle Association
Asuncion was just 16 when he first became involved with the New Jersey Electric Vehicle Association (NJEVA). “I caught sight of an event posted on Facebook, and I decided to go,” says Asuncion. “I volunteered and was very passionate about EVs even though I didn’t have one yet.”
Soon after he leased the LEAF, Asuncion was featured as one of three EV student adopters in “Rise of the Gen Z Electric Driver,” a webinar co-sponsored by Raritan Valley Community College and RideWise.
“There were three panelists and I was still in high school, and the others were in high school or junior college,” he says. “We described our experiences as driving electric and charging. We also talked about our commitment to sustainability and other EV benefits.”
Since then, Asuncion has represented NJEVA at many events in the Northern New Jersey area and has brought his EVs for display. He also participated in public hearings of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, where he presented arguments for the improvement of the state’s EV incentive program.
“I’m doing everything I can to make an impact,” Asuncion said. “It’s what the future needs us to do.”
Which EV Vehicle has a Federal Tax Credit?
The IRA federal EV tax credit has battery material and domestic manufacturing requirements, and it’s been changing a lot in recent weeks! However, download the Electric Vehicles Association’s EV Tax Credit Guide and find which EV models make the cut for a full or half tax credit as of early April 2023.