The list below contains summaries of all Hawaii incentives and laws related to HEVs / PHEVs.
Hawaiian Electric Company offers Electric Vehicle (EV) Pilot Rates for both residential and commercial customers. The pilot EV rates are available to 1,000 customers on Oahu, 300 in Maui County, and 300 on the Island of Hawaii for charging highway-capable, four-wheeled battery electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The pilot will remain in effect until October 1, 2013.
All public, private, and government parking facilities that are available for use by the general public and that include at least one hundred parking spaces must designate at least 1% of the spaces specifically for EVs by December 31, 2011. At least one of the parking spaces must be located near the building entrance, and spaces must be clearly marked and equipped with an EV charging unit that meets recognized standards. Owners of multiple parking lots may designate and install an EV charging unit in fewer parking spaces than required in one parking lot, as long as the total number of aggregate spaces for all parking lots is met. The spaces designated for EVs will continue to increase by 1% for each additional 5,000 registered EVs until the percentage reaches 10%. Penalties apply for non-EVs that park in parking spots designated for EVs. (Reference Hawaii Revised Statutes 291-71 and 291-72)
A multi-family residential dwelling or townhouse owner may install an EV charging system at a parking stall at the dwelling as long as the system is in compliance with applicable rules and specifications; the system is registered within thirty days of installation; and the homeowner receives consent from the private entity if the system is placed in a common area. Private entities may adopt rules that restrict the placement and use of charging systems, but many not charge a fee for the installation of a vehicle charging system. The owner of a charging system is responsible for any damages resulting from the installation, maintenance, repair, removal, or replacement of the system. A private entity includes any association of homeowners, community association, condominium association, or cooperative. (Reference Hawaii Revised Statutes 196-7.5)
To achieve Hawaii's transportation efficiency goals and to create jobs, foster economic growth, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the Hawaii Senate encourages the promotion of EV use in the state. As a first step, EV charging infrastructure must be developed. In addition, stakeholders should work together to expedite the use of EVs in Hawaii. Additionally, the Hawaii House of Representatives urges the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative End-Use Efficiency Work Group to address the challenges related to EV charging stations and access to electrical outlets to facilitate the use of EVs and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. (Reference House Concurrent Resolution 230, 2010, and Senate Concurrent Resolution 126, 2009)
State and county agencies must purchase light-duty vehicles that reduce petroleum consumption and meet the needs of the agency. The priority to be used for purchasing such vehicles is as follows:
Exemptions may apply. State agencies must purchase alternative fuels and ethanol blended gasoline when available, evaluate a purchase preference for biodiesel blends, and promote the efficient operation of vehicles. For the purpose of this requirement, an alternative fuel is defined as an alcohol fuel, an alcohol fuel blend containing at least 85% alcohol, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas (propane), hydrogen, biodiesel, a biodiesel blend containing at least 20% biodiesel, a fuel derived from biological materials, and electricity from off-board energy sources.
(Reference Hawaii Revised Statutes 103D-412 and 196-9)
The state of Hawaii has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the U.S. Department of Energy to collaborate to produce 70% of the state's energy needs from energy-efficient and renewable sources by 2030. This effort is part of the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative. The goals of the partnership include defining the structural transformation required to transition the state to a clean energy-dominated economy; demonstrating and fostering innovation in the use of clean energy, including alternative fuels; creating opportunities for the widespread distribution of clean energy benefits; establishing an open learning model for other states and entities to adopt; and building a workforce with cross-cutting skills to support a clean energy economy in the state.