ADDITIONAL HAWAII ROADWAYS DESIGNATED AS ALTERNATIVE FUEL CORRIDORS
For Immediate Release: March 27, 2018
KAILUA-KONA – The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has designated two more Hawaii highways as alternative fuel corridors, clearing the way for the installation of signage that will alert drivers to locations with electric vehicle chargers or hydrogen fuel stations.
The nomination of two Hawaii Island corridors was coordinated by the Hawaii State Energy Office (HSEO), a division of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, in cooperation with the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) and a host of other local partners. The two new corridors are in addition to seven other alternate fuel corridors on Maui and Oahu approved by the FHWA in 2016.
“We are very proud that two of our corridors on Hawaii Island have been selected as alternative fuel corridors,” said HDOT Director Jade Butay. “Moving away from fossil fuel use in transportation plays a critical part in meeting Governor Ige’s clean energy goals and we are grateful to the Hawaii State Energy Office for their guidance in sustainable transportation initiatives.”
DBEDT Director Luis P. Salaveria said ongoing efforts to decarbonize Hawaii’s transportation sector are an essential part of the state’s clean energy transformation. “Ground transportation constitutes one of the largest uses of petroleum in Hawaii,” Salaveria said. “Increasing the number of EVs and other alternative fuel vehicles will go a long way toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions and strengthening our energy security.”
Highway 19 from Kailua-Kona to Hilo (Queen Kaahumanu Highway/ Kawaiahae Road/ Hawaii Belt Road) and Highway 190 from Kailua-Kona to Waimea (Mamalahoa Highway) received the alternative fuel corridor designation because they meet the FHWA’s criteria for placement of EV charging and hydrogen fueling stations along major highways.
Hawaii Island’s alternative fuel corridors have EV charging stations that are no further than 50 miles from each other and no more than 1 mile from the highway. There are also plans for a hydrogen fueling station that will be located at the National Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority campus at Keahole Point just off Highway 19.
These designated highways are in addition to Hawaii’s existing alternative fuel corridors, which include I-H1/Hwy 72, I-H2/Hwy 99, and I-H3 on Oahu and Highway 30, Highway 311, Highway 31, Highway 32, Highway 36, and a portion of Highway 37 on Maui.
Other partners in the Hawaii Island corridor solicitation with the FHWA include the Hawaii Center for Advanced Transportation Technologies, Hawaii Natural Energy Institute, County of Hawaii, the Hawaiian Electric Companies, and EV charging network provider, Greenlots.
Corridors from across the country were nominated as part of FHWA’s Alternative Fuel Corridor (AFC) program. For more information on the program and to view a map of designated and pending corridors, visit the AFC website and the GIS map.
For locations and other information on EV charging stations in Hawaii, download the HSEO “EV Stations Hawaii” app on your mobile device or visit https://energy.hawaii.gov/what-we-do/transportation/#ev-charging
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ABOUT HAWAII STATE ENERGY OFFICE
The Hawaii State Energy Office (HSEO) is a division of the state’s Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. With the state’s goal to reach 100 percent renewable energy generation by 2045, HSEO is leading the state’s charge toward clean energy independence. HSEO is committed to developing and deploying high impact solutions that will maximize Hawaii’s renewable energy resources and improve efficiency and transportation standards. Through effective policies and innovative programs, HSEO has positioned Hawaii port as a leader in clean energy innovation, which will generate quality jobs, attract investment opportunities and accelerate economic growth.
For more information, visit energy.hawaii.gov
MEDIA CONTACT:
Alan Yonan Jr.
Communications Officer
DBEDT State Energy Office
(808) 587-3860
[email protected]