Consumer Advocacy – Public Utilities (DCA)

National Drive Electric Week kicks off this Friday — a weeklong nationwide celebration, started in 2011 as National Plug-In Day, to raise awareness of the growing availability of plug-in vehicles and highlight the benefits of driving electric. Sept. 23 to Oct. 2, 2022 has officially been declared National Drive Electric Week by Mayor Rick Blangiardi, and there are a number of exciting events happening across the state to help residents experience all the ways they can electrify their ride.

“It’s an exciting time for electric vehicles across the country,” said Tabatha Knudson, mobility and equity coordinator of Blue Planet Foundation, a member of the Drive Electric Hawaii coalition. “There are new incentives for EVs arriving in just a few months, EV charging infrastructure is expanding, and the diversity of vehicle options is growing. Also, moving electric doesn’t only apply to cars, it also includes a wide variety of electric bikes, scooters, and skateboards. We want to give Hawaii residents opportunities to experience all types of EVs and learn about the benefits of making the switch.”

In August, the number of electric vehicles (EVs) on roads in Hawaii surpassed 20,000, representing an increase of about 28% from the same time last year. Despite this growth, EVs make up only 2% of total passenger vehicles in the state, signaling a need to expand access and affordability for more Hawaii residents.

“Hawaiian Electric is reaching out to its customers to make sure public charging stations are reliable, convenient, and accessible to everyone while being compatible with each community,” said Aki Marceau, Hawaiian Electric’s director of electrification of transportation. “We’re also providing well-designed rates that leverage clean energy produced in the middle of the day to make it easier for all our customers to participate in the transition to electrified transportation.”

While Hawaii has made substantial progress on actions to reduce burning fossil fuels in the electricity sector, emissions in the transportation sector are not on pace to achieve a 50% reduction by 2030 – the timeframe that climate science reports identify for avoiding the worst impacts of climate change.

Drive Electric Hawaii community and transportation partners are hosting events across the state during National Drive Electric Week to raise awareness and encourage the transition to electric modes of transportation.

Calendar of Events:
OAHU: Move Electric Oahu
Saturday, Sept. 24, 12-5pm at Ka Makana Alii in Kapolei
Blue Planet and Drive Electric Hawaii present “Move Electric.” Attendees at this free community event will enjoy electric vehicle test drives from BMW and Arcimoto, get a sneak peak at the all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning, check out electric motorcycles and scooters, and can enter to win an e-bike.
Attendees can sign up to reserve a spot for an EV test drive in advance.

HAWAII ISLAND: Electric Vehicle and Sustainability Fair – Hilo, Hawaii Island
Saturday, Sept. 24, 10am-2pm at Prince Kuhio Plaza
Presented by Big Island Electric Vehicle Association, attendees can learn the latest in EVs, clean energy, and climate action while viewing the latest EV and e-bike models and entering to win prizes.

MAUI: Drive Electric Week Maui
Saturday, Sept. 24, 10am-2pm at the University of Hawaii Maui College Campus in Kahului
Maui Nui EV is celebrating National Drive Electric Week with a community event featuring test drives and more.

KAUAI: EV Celebration on Kaua’i
Saturday, Sept. 24, 9am-12pm at the Anahola Marketplace
Presented by Kauai EV, this event will showcase the latest EVs and provide an opportunity to learn about buying and ownership tips from current EV owners.

VIRTUAL: Webinar: Drive Electric with Aloha
Saturday, Oct. 1, 10am-12:30pm, Virtual Webinar
Hawaii EV and Drive Electric Hawaii will host a public webinar to provide information related to EV ownership in Hawaii.