Hawaiian Electric opens sixth EV fast charger on Hawaii Island
Release Date: 7/8/2020
HILO, July 8, 2020 – Hawaiian Electric has installed a DC fast charger for electric vehicles at the new Puna Kai Shopping Center in Pahoa. It is the sixth publicly-accessible fast charger owned and operated by Hawaiian Electric on Hawaii Island. Others are located at the company’s offices in Hilo and Kona, KTA Super Stores in Waimea Center, The Shops at Mauna Lani, and the Punaluu Bake Shop in Naalehu.
"We're proud to partner with Puna Kai Shopping Center to open the first fast charger to serve the Puna community and those who visit there," said Sharon Suzuki, president of the Maui County and Hawaii Island Utilities. "As more customers switch to electric vehicles, we want to support their choice with programs and options to meet their driving needs. This station is located between our fast chargers in Hilo and Naalehu and will help ease range anxiety for electric vehicle drivers who travel long distances for work or school."
"The community of Puna is known for its widespread use of sustainable energy practices such as solar power and water catchment systems," said Brooke Naiga, property manager. "Puna Kai Shopping Center is happy to provide a convenient charging location for the Big Island's EV users."
A fast charger can provide about 43 miles of additional range for a typical EV in 15 minutes. The fast charger supports CHAdeMO (used mostly 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). The unit is available during the shopping center's current business hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Rates range from $0.51 to $0.63 per kilowatt-hour depending on time of use. Rates are lowest from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. when the most solar generation is available. Payment can be made with a major credit card or a Greenlots subscription.
Hawaiian Electric has approval from the Public Utilities Commission to operate up to 25 fast charging sites across the five-island service territory to promote electric vehicles by reducing range anxiety and making it easier for residents who cannot charge at home to own an electric vehicle. There are now 19 fast chargers on Oahu, Maui, Molokai and Hawaii islands. Under this program, a fast charge station is installed at no cost to the property owner.
More information is at www.hawaiianelectric.com/goev, goev@hawaiianelectric.com, (808) 969-0358, or Hawaiian Electric GoEV, CP10 SR, P.O. Box 2750, Honolulu, Hawaii 96840-001.
