Hawaii Laws and Incentives for EVs
The list below contains summaries of all Hawaii laws and incentives related to EVs.
State Incentives
Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV) High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane and Parking Fee Exemptions
Qualified PEVs affixed with special state-issued PEV license plates may use HOV lanes regardless of the number of passengers and are exempt from parking fees charged by any non-federal governmental authority. (Reference Senate Bill 2746, 2012)
Utility/Private Incentives
Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV) Charging Rate Incentive - Hawaiian Electric Company
Hawaiian Electric Company offers Electric Vehicle (EV) Pilot Rates for residential and commercial customers. The pilot PEV 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 PEVs. The pilot will remain in effect until October 1, 2013.
Laws and Regulations
Public Utility Definition
An entity that owns, controls, operates, or manages a plant or facility primarily used to charge or discharge a vehicle battery that provides power for vehicle propulsion is not defined as a public utility. (Reference Hawaii Revised Statutes 269-1)
Plug-in Electric Vehicle (PEV) Parking Requirement
All parking facilities that are available for use by the general public and include at least one hundred parking spaces must designate at least one parking space specifically for PEVs by July 1, 2012, provided that no parking spaces required by the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines are reduced or displaced. Spaces must be clearly marked and equipped with electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). Owners of multiple parking lots may designate and install EVSE 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. Penalties apply for non-PEVs that park in spaces designated for PEVs. (Reference Senate Bill 2747, 2012, and Hawaii Revised Statutes 291-71 and 291-72)
Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Requirements
A multi-family residential dwelling or townhouse owner may install EVSE in or at a parking stall at the dwelling as long as the EVSE is in compliance with applicable rules and specifications, the EVSE is registered within 30 days of installation, and the homeowner receives consent from the private entity if the EVSE is placed in a common area. Private entities may adopt rules that restrict the placement and use of EVSE but may not charge a fee for the installation. The EVSE owner is responsible for any damages resulting from the installation, maintenance, repair, removal, or replacement of the EVSE. A private entity includes any association of homeowners, community association, condominium association, or cooperative. (Reference Hawaii Revised Statutes 196-7.5)
Plug-in Electric Vehicle (PEV) Promotion
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 PEV use in the state. As a first step, PEV charging infrastructure must be developed. In addition, stakeholders should work together to expedite the use of PEVs 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 PEV charging stations and access to electrical outlets to facilitate the use of PEVs. (Reference House Concurrent Resolution 230, 2010, and Senate Concurrent Resolution 126, 2009)
Alternative Fuel Standard Development
The state of Hawaii is responsible for facilitating the development of alternative fuels and supporting the attainment of a statewide alternative fuels standard. The alternative fuels standard will be as follows: alternative fuels will provide 15% by 2015, 20% by 2020, and 30% by 2030. For the purposes of the alternative fuels standard, ethanol produced from cellulosic materials is equivalent to 2.5 gallons of non-cellulosic ethanol. (Reference Hawaii Revised Statutes 196-42)
Alternative Fuel and Advanced Vehicle Acquisition Requirements
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:
- Plug-in electric vehicles;
- Hydrogen or fuel cell vehicles;
- Other alternative fuel vehicles;
- Hybrid electric vehicles; and
- Vehicles identified as top performers for fuel economy in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's annual "Fuel Economy Leaders" report.
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, or electricity generated from off-board energy sources.
(Reference Hawaii Revised Statutes 103D-412 and 196-9)
Alternative Fuels Promotion
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.