Hawaiian Electric expands electric vehicle fast-charging network

Adds seven new charging stations on Oahu, Maui

Release Date: 3/9/2021

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HONOLULU, March 9, 2021 – Electric vehicle drivers on Oahu and Maui have more options to quickly power up with the recent installation of seven new publicly-accessible, fast-charging stations by Hawaiian Electric. The new DC fast chargers can provide over 40 miles of additional range for a typical EV in 15 minutes and incentivizes drivers to charge during daytime hours with lower rates when renewable energy is typically abundant.

This brings the total company-owned and operated fast chargers to 25 with 13 on Oahu, six on Hawaii Island, five on Maui, and one on Molokai.

"Building reliable, convenient, public EV charging infrastructure will accelerate clean transportation and encourage more drivers to go electric," said Aki Marceau, Hawaiian Electric director of electrification of transportation. "Transitioning to EVs will reduce emissions and allow us to use more renewable energy."

In Hawaii, transportation uses nearly two-thirds of imported petroleum and discharges over half of the state's greenhouse gas emissions. Providing utility-owned public chargers establishes a critical foundation when replacing fossil-fuel powered vehicles with cleaner, more efficient EVs. Currently, there are more than 13,000 registered EVs in Hawaii.

In partnership with the site owners, the new public chargers serve to broaden and solidify a third-party charging market in Hawaii.

"Upgrading our fast-charging station at our Lahaina Aquatic Center is a great example of how our county administration works together in partnership with our county council, county departments and Hawaiian Electric to meet our county's clean transportation goals," said Maui Energy Commissioner Alex de Roode. "We look forward to continuing these partnerships in order to bring additional EV charging options to our community in the very near future."

Sheri Fukushima, executive property administrator of Salt Lake Shopping Center on Oahu, said, "We're pleased to partner with Hawaiian Electric to give our customers a fast and reliable way to charge their electric vehicles when they visit our mall."

The new fast chargers support CHAdeMO (mostly used by EVs like the Nissan Leaf and the Tesla with their proprietary adaptor) and CCS (used by American and European EVs like the BMW i3 and as an option on the Chevy Bolt). Charging sessions can be initiated in multiple ways, including smartphone apps to credit cards.

The state's four counties are committed to 100 percent public and private renewable-fueled ground transportation by 2045. In July 2020, Hawaii joined 15 states and the District of Columbia in a pledge to expand the market for electric medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. The goal is to ensure that 100 percent of all new medium- and heavy-duty vehicle sales are zero-emission vehicles by 2050. The interim target is 30 percent zero-emission vehicle sales by 2030.

Later this year, Hawaiian Electric plans to propose further expansion of its fast charger network. The company hopes to install more public chargers as well as conduct outreach to gain community feedback on driving habits, EV charging needs and preferred site locations.

The locations of the seven new chargers include: