In a move to reach the goals set by the Hawai'i Clean Energy Initiative (HCEI)—70 percent clean energy for the state by 2030—Hawaiian Electric Company and sustainability mobility operator Better Place have teamed up to create an electric-car network for Hawai'i. The proposed network is only the second in the nation, serving as a blue print for other states and continuing Hawai'i's role as a leader in reducing dependency on foreign oil and utilizing renewable energy resources.
The first steps to developing the network include permitting and building an infrastructure to accommodate the widespread adoption of electric vehicles, which will be introduced within 18 months. The basic infrastructure is comprised of public charging spots and battery swapping stations.
Maui Electric Company is currently testing Phoenix Motorcars' electric light trucks and vans and other plug-in hybrids, including six Toyota Prius hybrids that have been converted to plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Better Place believes there will be mass-market availability of the electric car in Hawai'i by 2012.
Hawai'i spends nearly $7 billion on oil imports a year and Hawai'i drivers pay some of the highest gas prices in the nation. The proposed network would not only reduce carbon emissions, but also provide more affordable transportation options. To maximize the efficiency of the network, Better Place will manage when vehicles are recharged, providing a market for renewable energy output in off-peak hours. Beneficial results will require large-scale deployment of electric vehicles throughout the state.