Hawaii readies for increase of electric cars
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The state is gearing up for more electric vehicles on the roads in the coming months.
To be prepared, it has received money to install nearly 300 charging stations statewide.
Electric vehicles like the Chevy Volt will be available to Hawaii drivers by the end of the year. The Nissan Leaf has already made its way here and more are on the way. Mitsubishi also plans to have Hawaii as one of the first in the country to sell its electric vehicle in November.
The state is pushing to have more and more of the so-called EVs on Hawaii roads, and plans to do so, thanks to a federal grant of $2.6 million.
The city and county of Honolulu will get $400,000 to buy some electric cars and install eight charging stations at municipal lots.
Kauai County will get $267,000 to buy five cars and build five charging stations.
"It's these little things that lead to bigger things that is so important as we continue to look forward to clean and green and wonderful opportunities for all of us," said Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho.
The bulk of the grant will go to two companies that will build most of the charging stations statewide. The idea is install them at parking lots so car owners can top off their batteries while they're shopping or dining.
"Probably about an hour on the Nissan Leaf it will give you about an extra ten miles of range. The car's capability is gonna be increased fairly soon to where that will each hour will give you twenty," said Dan Davids of Plug in America.
Most drivers will charge their vehicles at home but the idea is to have the stations available for convenience and peace of mind.
"There are some days when you might go out all the way to Waianae and it would be nice to get some extra charge before you come so these charge stations will enable that," Davids said.
Davids says Hawaii is the ideal place for EVs because most people only drive about 30 miles a day. Tax breaks also make buying the cars more affordable.
To be prepared, it has received money to install nearly 300 charging stations statewide.
Electric vehicles like the Chevy Volt will be available to Hawaii drivers by the end of the year. The Nissan Leaf has already made its way here and more are on the way. Mitsubishi also plans to have Hawaii as one of the first in the country to sell its electric vehicle in November.
The state is pushing to have more and more of the so-called EVs on Hawaii roads, and plans to do so, thanks to a federal grant of $2.6 million.
The city and county of Honolulu will get $400,000 to buy some electric cars and install eight charging stations at municipal lots.
Kauai County will get $267,000 to buy five cars and build five charging stations.
"It's these little things that lead to bigger things that is so important as we continue to look forward to clean and green and wonderful opportunities for all of us," said Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho.
The bulk of the grant will go to two companies that will build most of the charging stations statewide. The idea is install them at parking lots so car owners can top off their batteries while they're shopping or dining.
"Probably about an hour on the Nissan Leaf it will give you about an extra ten miles of range. The car's capability is gonna be increased fairly soon to where that will each hour will give you twenty," said Dan Davids of Plug in America.
Most drivers will charge their vehicles at home but the idea is to have the stations available for convenience and peace of mind.
"There are some days when you might go out all the way to Waianae and it would be nice to get some extra charge before you come so these charge stations will enable that," Davids said.
Davids says Hawaii is the ideal place for EVs because most people only drive about 30 miles a day. Tax breaks also make buying the cars more affordable.
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- groups:
- Community, Green Transportation
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- tags:
- Car, Hawaii, Automobile, Electric
