Home > News > April 2019 BIEVA Updates

Apologies for the overdue update – we’ve been preoccupied with the activities related to this legislative session. Thanks for taking time to respond to our earlier calls-to-action. 

Earth Day Event – April 26

We will be hosting our Drive Electric Earth Day event at the UH Hilo on April 26, from 830-130. We’ll have 4-5 electric cars, informative displays, and material related to EVs and charging stations. Our friends from Drive Electric Hawaii will be joining us.

There will be many other organizations sharing information and many children visiting (K-12 students will be at the event). If you’re in Hilo, drop by and say hello.  We’ll be near the entrance of the event. For details, visit BIEVA Drive Electric Earth Day 2019. 

Upcoming Events

Policy Committee

As we’ve recently learned, our legislators will raise bills that can either run counter to, or be supportive of our sustainability goals. During a legislative session, countless bills may be raised and each may undergo a quick series of iterations, some of which can alter significantly the essence of the bills. We also learned that the window of time for the community to offer testimony is often very limited. In response to this, we recently formed a committee to enable a rapid response to policy proposals and to contribute more strategically to EV-friendly policies. A few of our members and a Honolulu EV advocate form our committee. They include:

  • Tam Hunt (Chair)
  • Bill Bugbee
  • Mike Kane
  • Thomas Martin
  • Bernard Moret
  • Noel Morin
  • Philip Tait
  • Nanette Vinton (Honolulu member; Tesla Owners Club President)

The recent calls-to-action and posts regarding EV benefits, Road Use Fees, and the EV Surcharge are among the product of our group. We’re also collaborating with Blue Planet Foundation and Drive Electric Hawaii to organize our responses and to contribute to future, more strategic objectives. We, clearly, can and must do more. Expect us to play a more active role in this area.

Hawaii Electric Auto Association

The BIEVA has long been associated with the Hawaii chapter of the Electric Auto Association (electricauto.org), a non-profit established in 1967 whose members advocate for EV adoption across the US and Canada. Up until recently, the chapter name was ‘Big Island EVA’.

In order to enhance our state’s transition to electric vehicles, we’ve renamed the chapter to “Hawaii EVA” and are inviting EV owners across the state to join the chapter. We are also collaborating with EV clubs on other islands so that we can help each other with best practice sharing and build a louder voice for policies that support our sustainability goals.  The objective is to have the BIEVA and other EV clubs across the state to be part of the Hawaii Electric Auto Association chapter.

If you’re not yet a member of the Electric Auto Association and would like to join, go to the EAA Membership page. There is a small annual fee that goes towards support of the mission and its chapters. (Be sure to select Hawaii EVA as your chapter.) Membership in the EAA is optional but greatly appreciated.

Workplace and Multi-Unit Dwelling Charging Station Rebate Ending SOON!

Hawaii Energy and Ulupono Initiative are offering update $5000 for the installation of charging stations at workplaces and multi-unit dwelling complexes (condos and apartments). My sources tell me that only a handful of applications have been received. To avail of the rebate, the installation must be completed by June 30, 2019. $5000 can cover the cost of equipment and installation for a 2-plug networked charging station. (A networked station can allow property owners to charge for the energy consumed.) If you’re aware of a property that might be ideal, please direct the business or property manager to the Hawaii Energy – Electric Vehicle Charging Stations page.

Do you own a Tesla?

If you own a Tesla, consider joining the Hawaii Tesla Club – the official Hawaii group for the Tesla Owners Club. As a member, you’ll be included in Tesla-specific communications and have access to exclusive club merchandise. To join go to the Tesla Hawaii Club Membership page.
For Hawaii Island-related information check out our Tesla Ownership page and our Big Island Tesla Owner Facebook group.

The Latest EV Counts

EVs in the State (Hawaii Department of Energy March 2019 data)

CategoryStateOahuMauiHawaiiKauai
Passenger, Electric8,9517,0881,078489296
Passenger, Diesel8,1562,7591,4482,9291,020
Passenger, Gasoline1,032,349614,653160,630179,18077,886
Passenger, Hybrid25,13017,1453,6203,2431,122
Passenger, Misc Fuel1,27952428638485
Total 1,075,865642,169167,062186,22580,409

The adoption of electric cars is increasing but they still represent less than 1% of the passenger vehicles on our roads. The Big Island had 489 EVs as of March (+36% increase over the same month last year). The state saw a 29% increase.

Charging Stations

Our island now has seven Fast Chargers with the recent deployment of the Punalu’u charger. The next one planned is for North Kohala. As a result of this network, most electric cars (those that are CHAdeMO or CCS compatible) will be able to drive around the entire island with no worry. We’re appreciative of these well-maintained stations.

While good progress is being made with the Fast Charger network, our Level 2 charging stations have been challenging. Many have been non-operational for a while. Additionally, some county stations are not accessible 24/7. This has caused frustration and disappointment for EV owners. We’ve contacted operators for problematic stations but the responses have been inadequate. We encourage you to take time to contact the property owners of the stations to express the need for operable stations. (Our collective voice will get heard.)

Let’s also take time to praise operators of reliable stations. (Tip: Their social media pages are great places to provide feedback.)

Keep in Touch!

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Noel Morin