Drive Electric Week 2024
Hawaii EV successfully celebrated National Drive Electric Week (NDEW) with meet-ups across the state. The events promoted the importance of sustainable transportation, particularly electric vehicles, in accelerating our transition to a clean, sustainable future.
Hawaii is a Perfect Place for EVs
Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming popular in Hawaii, with more residents enjoying their lower operating and maintenance costs, clean air, and environmental benefits. The State now has over 33,000 registered EVs, with a year-over-year growth rate of around 25%. With several affordable 200+-mile EVs, generous rebates available for many buyers, many vehicle types, and lower fueling and maintenance costs, many are driving EVs.
Dealers: Your next customer may be a test drive away!
I came across a Consumer Reports survey that reveals that many consumers are eager to test drive an electric vehicle (EV) when visiting a car dealership, even if they are not interested in an EV at the time. As many EV owners know, the hands-on experience driving one is a key factor in purchasing one. The driving experience - acceleration, quiet and smooth ride - and the many other benefits (lower maintenance and fuel costs and zero tail-pipe pollution) help consumers decide to make their next vehicle electric.
National Drive Electric Week is almost here!
Hawaii EV is celebrating National Drive Electric Week - September 27 - October 6 - with events across the State. We are partnering with Drive Electric Hawaii and other partners to promote the importance of sustainable transportation, particularly electric vehicles, in accelerating our transition to a clean, sustainable future.
Through our chapters (Kauai EV, Maui Nui EV,Big Island EV, and our newly formed Oahu EV team), Tesla Hawaii Club, and partners, we ensure that communities across the state will participate in the celebration and learning opportunity.
“Mobesity” Threatens Sustainable Transportation Journey
Hawaii EV has highlighted the need to ‘right-size’ our EV purchases. While this may have been challenging in the past, there are many options today – from tiny cars to trucks and SUVs – so there is an EV for just about any need. Right-sizing, a strategy that also applies to gas cars, simply means buying a vehicle that is fit for purpose – not too small or large. An electric vehicle that is too big will mean spending more than is necessary, using more electricity than required, replacing tires more frequently, and contributing to a larger environmental footprint.
“EVs are bad for the Environment”
We’ve heard it time and time again—FUD (fear, uncertainty, and doubt) that casts a negative shade on the electric vehicle. This has resulted in consumer skepticism about EVs and a drag on the movement to transition our transportation system from the archaic, inefficient, and polluting internal combustion engine framework to the simple, modern, and efficient electric vehicle.
Here are other examples of this nonsense:
“EVs run on electricity, and the electricity grid is powered by fossil fuel, so your EV is not as clean as my hybrid.”
“ EVs are expensive and only for the rich.”
“EVs run on electricity, and electricity is expensive, so it will be expensive to charge EVs.”
“ EV batteries will are worse for the environment.”
Fortunately, there is an abundance of facts to counter these myths and misconceptions. A Google search will reveal many articles highlighting the facts that dispute common misconceptions and misrepresentations about EVs. Several are listed below.
How many EVs are cruising Hawaii?
Adoption is accelerating across Hawaii, with very positive YoY growth. This is very positive, but more must be done to accelerate adoption. Hawaii consumes nearly 40,000,000 gallons of gasoline and diesel each month, and gas vehicles still represent about 94% of registered vehicles.
Image courtesy of unsplash.com/@robinpierre
Good news for VW fans!
This just in: The VW ID.4 qualifies for the $ 7,500 federal tax credit! Thanks to domestic manufacturing (in Tennessee) and their utilization of SK On batteries (manufactured in Georgia), the ID.4 is now on the list of EVs that qualify for the full credit.
Image courtesy of Andrea De Santis.
Hawaiian Electric DCFC Upgrade Update
Hawaiian Electric is progressing on its roadmap to upgrade its Efacec DC Fast Chargers network! This includes replacing aged equipment and doubling up stations at certain locations.
A peek into the 2024 Kia EV6
InsideEVs offers a peek into the Kia’s 2024 Kia EV6 offerings. Check out details on price, range, and features across several trim levels. The EV6 is a popular EV and a great option for those looking for an electric crossover.
Public Charging in Hawaii
In case you missed Hawaii EV’s October 6 webinar, you can view the recording here. The webinar capped off our National Drive Electric Week celebration.
View to learn about the latest on EV adoption in our state, local experiences with public charging, and efforts by our utilities and the State to enhance our charging infrastructure.
Enroll in Smart Charge Hawaii today
Enroll in Smart Charge Hawaii today
The Smart Charge Hawaii program, accessed via the ev.energy app, allows eligible electric vehicle drivers to track home charging costs and earn rewards for sharing EV charging data to improve power grid reliability across the islands. Sign up to earn your $75 enrolment incentive, plus an additional $75 completion bonus after 12 months on the program.
The ev.energy app is available for free to all Hawaii residents on iOS or Android. The app works by wirelessly connecting to an integrated EV or charger.
New Hawaii laws affecting electric vehicle owners
Hawaii’s Governor Green recently signed into law bill SB1534. Act 222 introduces the State’s Road Usage Fee. This is a step in moving away from fuel taxes to fund road maintenance in Hawaii.
2023 Hawaiʻi Commute Challenge: Go Multimodal!
We’ve shared the benefits of reducing ‘Vehicle Miles Traveled’ (VMT) in a January 2021 post (Sustainability through “VMT” Reduction). This deals with reducing the number of miles traveled by car. There are many strategies to achieve this, and the net benefit is a cleaner and more efficient transportation ecosystem. This does not deal with eliminating cars but reducing their need. There are several benefits to reducing VMT:
Reduction of transportation costs
Health improvement
Reduced traffic congestion
Better air quality
Emissions reduction
The pocketbook benefit of EVs
The latest Consumer Reports report on EV ownership costs confirms what many EV owners already appreciate. As a result of the lower ‘fueling’ and maintenance costs, consumers can save up to $12,000 over the vehicle's life over comparable fossil-burning vehicles. As more and more car manufacturers join the transition, we will see even greater improvements in the price of these vehicles, magnifying the overall cost advantages of EVs.
EVs in Government Fleets
“State and local governments around the country could save a total of nearly $11 billion in lifetime expenses by purchasing EVs as opposed to gasoline-powered vehicles for their light-duty fleets over the next 10 years.”
The efficiency and low maintenance associated with electric vehicles allow fleet owners to maximize their transportation budget and achieve decarbonization goals.
Smart Charge Hawaii Pilot
Hawaiian Electric has launched its Smart Charge Hawaii Pilot, a program designed to allow EV owners to optimize EV charging while providing the utility with data that can help with the design of future charging programs. Customers in their service territory who enroll in the program will be provided with access to a mobile app that will allow for tracking of EV charging events and costs. They will also receive an incentive of either $150 or 10,000 Hawaiian Airlines miles.
Nissan Ariya Review
Kama’aina Nissan was gracious and lent Big Island EV Association one of their brand new 2023 Nissan Ariya’s for a brief test drive. Nissan has been teasing the Ariya for many years, and many folks have been patiently waiting for this unique model to hit the market. Competition is heating up in this space, but I believe Nissan has created a winner with this vehicle.
“Auto Industry Must Drive a Greener Future”
Electric Vehicle Association President, Elaine Borseth, recently wrote an article in Fast Company. It summarized the progress being made in the electrification of transportation and, importantly, highlighted the sluggish and even obstructive response by large auto manufacturers.