STATE ELECTRIC VEHICLE PROGRAM CONCLUDES WITH 700% RISE IN REGISTRATIONS

For Immediate Release: January 31. 2013

HONOLULU — The Hawaii Energy Office today announced the completion of the state’s successful electric vehicle (EV) rebate and grant program, along with a 700 percent increase in EVs on island roads since the program began.

Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the “Hawaii EV Ready” program was administered by the Energy Office, a division of the state’s Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT). From August 2010 through December 2012, the program provided consumer rebates and assisted with the installation of hundreds of EV charging stations statewide. Its purpose was to help accelerate EV adoption across Hawaii by providing rebates and grants to stimulate the demand of EVs and charging infrastructure. At the end of 2012, there were 1,136 EVs registered in the state, compared to 162 when the program began.

“The Hawaii EV Ready program was a critical component in helping Hawaii’s electric vehicle market grow as part of our journey toward a clean transportation future,” said Gov. Neil Abercrombie. “This administration is committed to providing strategic pathways that will lead to more EVs on the road.”

DBEDT partnered with the state Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs (DCCA) to manage the EV Ready Rebate Program, offering rebates up to $4,500 for eligible EVs purchased in Hawaii and up to $500 for the purchase and installation of EV charging equipment. Officially completed in May 2012, the program provided 453 rebates for electric vehicles and 274 rebates for public and private charging stations.

The EV Ready Grant Program awarded grants to six recipients – AeroVironment, Better Place, the County of Kauai, the City and County of Honolulu, GreenCar, and Plug In America. The EV Ready Grant Program was made possible by both private Hawaii business investment and $2.3 million from federal ARRA stimulus funds.

The EV Ready Grant program resulted in:
• Installation of over 230 Level 2 public EV charging sites and six DC fast chargers at more than 100 locations throughout Hawaii
• EV Ready Guidebook for Commercial Electric Vehicle Charging Station Installations, available free online at the Energy Office’s and Plug In America’s websites
• Residential building permits were made available online by the City and County of Honolulu to ease the installation of EV charging stations
• Car sharing company launched on Oahu, serving the hospitality industry with EVs and other fuel efficient vehicles
• Allocation of $475,500 to the state’s Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) Automotive Management Division to purchase a total of 10 EVs (Chevrolet Volts and Nissan LEAFs) and install over a dozen Level 2 charging stations at the state motor pool and state-owned public parking lots

“The success can be seen in the increased number of electric vehicles on our roads and available charging stations,” said DBEDT Director Richard Lim. “While we celebrate surpassing the 1,000 registered EV mark, the challenge will be to continue our work toward widespread acceptance of EVs in support of Hawaii’s clean energy goals.”

“We’d like to thank Nissan, Mitsubishi and Toyota for their support in designating Hawaii as one of the flagship states to receive their new electric vehicles,” added Mark Glick, State Energy Administrator. “We would also like to recognize the Hawaii Auto Dealers Association for its support, and DCCA for all of its heavy lifting in approving hundreds of rebate applications.”

The federal government continues to offer Plug-In Electric Vehicle Credits up to $7,500. For more information on the federal credit, visit the IRS website.

For more information on electric vehicles in Hawaii, visit electricvehicle.hawaii.gov.

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For more information, contact:

Noreen Kam
Communications Officer
DBEDT’s State Energy Office
Phone: (808) 587-3860

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