At the end of March, Blue Planet hosted a webinar on Public EV Charging Installation 101. We were joined by speakers from Hawaiian Electric, Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative, Hawai‘i Energy, and the Hawai‘i State Energy Office to talk about programs and incentives to support property and business owners in their journey of installing stations.
Missed the webinar? Check out our highlights below.
Why EV Charging Stations?
Hawai‘i has been making strides to decarbonize the transportation sector by rapidly transitioning to EVs. In 2022, Hawai‘i ranked second to California for plug-in EV registrations –that’s 15.43 EV drivers for every one-thousand people.
Unfortunately, there’s a big barrier for Hawai‘i EV drivers, and that is: NOT ENOUGH CHARGERS. Even in places like Downtown Honolulu where public stations are most concentrated, EV drivers may find themselves competing with other drivers for an available port.
O’ahu: 225
Hawai‘i Island: 50
Maui: 55
Kaua‘i: 25
Areas with little to no charging ports can leave drivers worried about being able to reach their destination or make longer commutes. For property and business owners located in a charging desert (where there’s little to no charging ports), range anxiety can drive away potential customers.
Check out AFDC’s Charging Station Locator HERE.
Areas with little to no charging ports can leave drivers worried about being able to reach their destination or make longer commutes. For property and business owners located in a charging desert (where there’s little to no charging ports), range anxiety can drive away potential customers.
Who do public EV charging stations benefit?
Having a public charging station at a property or business can attract customers and increase foot traffic! One Hawai‘i-based survey showed that customers are 78% more likely to visit a business and 69% more likely to travel to a destination if there’s a charging station along the way. Moverover, increasing the number of chargers can address drivers’ range anxiety and promote EV adoption.
Implementing more charging infrastructure helps accelerate EV adoption, effectively reducing our climate impacts and cutting emissions associated with cardiovascular and respiratory health issues – benefitting us all!
EV Charger Basics
Types of Chargers
Public charging stations are almost always Level 2 or DC Fast chargers, which offer different levels of energy.
Level 2 chargers are typically suitable for customers that plan to be parked for longer periods of time. For a higher price, DC Fast chargers can charge a car’s battery from empty up to 80 percent capacity in 20-60 minutes.
Networked vs. Non-networked
“Networking” a charging station (for additional fees) provides several economic benefits and reduces management responsibilities. By networking, a third-party company takes on the operating responsibilities of the station and incorporates the station into a larger network of EV charging infrastructure.
Benefits of a Networked Charger
- Enhanced charging station visibility
- Can charge station usage fees
- Allows remote access and control
- Ability to view station usage analytics
- Monitor environmental impact
- Provides customer support services online
Where to start? HECO can help.
HECO’s Charge Up Commercial program provides make-ready charging infrastructure for 4-6 level 2 charging ports. Customers can install these make-ready charging stations with reduced upfront costs of up to $90,000.
Submit an application, and HECO will help customers set it all up thereafter–from a site evaluation to designing the infrastructure to building it to completion!
On Kaua‘i? KIUC’s got you.
KIUC is ready to help commercial memebers cover up to $10,000 of installing Level 2 EV chargers.
If total project costs are under $45,000, KIUC will cover up to $5,000. If costs exceed $45,000, KIUc can cover up to $10,000 of your project!
Want to upgrade your charger, KIUC also provides $3,500 for a retrofit! KIUC can also help guide you through site evaluations. . .
Stack it with Hawai‘i Energy!
Have a charging station already installed or retrofitted? Hawai‘i Energy’s EV Charging Station Rebate Program provides rebates for networked Level 2 and DC Fast chargers!
For Level 2:
- Single-port
- New installation: $2,000
- Retrofit: $1,300
- Multi-port
- New installation: $4,500
- Retrofit: $3,000
For DC Fast:
- New installation: $35,000
- Retrofit: $28,000
To qualify, chargers must be available to the public; or for multiple tenants, employees, and/or customers; or serve EV fleets. Apply by June 30, 2024 to get a rebate on your charging station(s) while funding lasts!
Looking for an installation contractor? Check out some of the over 90 Clean Energy Allies ready to support your installation journey.
Search Database: https://hawaiienergy.my.site.com/VendorDirectory/s/