Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism

Hawaii State Energy Office
For Immediate Release: March 4, 2019

HONOLULU—Electrify America has selected Honolulu as one of 18 metropolitan areas to receive investment in electric vehicle DC fast chargers as part of the second phase of the organization’s National Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Investment Plan.

Electrify America said it will spend $300 million in Cycle 2 of its National ZEV Investment Plan in areas “where the need for electric vehicle charging stations and technology are greatest or are most likely to be used regularly.” Cycle 2 is a 30-month investment period that begins this July.

Electrify America’s investment in Honolulu will support from three to eight direct current fast charging (DCFC) stations. The exact number charging spaces at each station will depend on expected utilization and the available site utilities. With a focus on both future and present-day electric vehicles, Electrify America’s charging systems have a range in power from 50 kilowatts (kW), the most commonly used charging power for EVs today, up to 350 kW which is capable of adding up to 20 miles of range per minute to a vehicle.

“We welcome Electrify America’s investment in Hawaii’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure,” said Carilyn Shon, Hawaii State Energy Office administrator. “Expanding electric vehicle charging opportunities will play an important role helping achieve Hawaii’s goal of reducing fossil fuel consumption in the ground transportation sector.”

In 2017 Hawaii had the second highest concentration of plug-in EVs in the nation with 5.12 vehicles per 1,000 people, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Only California was higher, with 8.64 EVs per 1,000 people. The national average was 2.21 EVs per 1,000 people.

Besides Honolulu, other metro areas receiving investment in Cycle 2 are: Atlanta; Baltimore; Las Vegas; Phoenix, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Portland, Ore.; Seattle, the District of Columbia, Boulder, Colo.; Olympia, Wash.; Bremerton, Wash.; and Bridgeport, Conn. A total of 29 metro areas received funding in Cycle 1 and Cycle 2. Some metro areas received funding in both cycles.

“At Electrify America, we understand that we have a significant role to play in bringing the United States into the age of electric cars,” said Giovanni Palazzo, president and chief executive officer of Electrify America. “This Cycle 2 plan allows us to further accelerate progress on our goal of making electric vehicle charging more available, more accessible and easier for drivers to use.”

Electrify America was established to implement the “ZEV Commitment,” a part of Volkswagen’s court-approved settlement involving 2.0 liter vehicles in the United States.

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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. 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 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