Fast chargers for driving electric

by Carly Hiromoto | Aug. 22, 2017

One of the utility-owned DC Fast Chargers on Oahu. Located at Hawaiian Electric’s Ward Office.

There are many things to consider when purchasing an electric vehicle. I never considered doing so until a family member recently purchased one of her own.

For her, it was a logical decision. She worked close to home and can plug in to a charger at home. Also, having rooftop solar helping to offset charging costs helped make the decision easier. Other incentives, like free parking at state or county lots and spaces and use of the high occupancy vehicle lane were enticing. Best of all, going electric meant no more worrying about gas prices. At that time, Nissan was offering a $10,000 discount to utility customers, an offer that continues through Sept. 30, 2017. I recall her going through the list of benefits. It was pretty much a no-brainer for her.

Not everyone lives in a place that’s equipped to charge an electric vehicle so other things need to be considered before purchasing one. By law, public lots with at least 100 spaces must have at least one designated parking stall with a charger. Knowing this, new buildings are incorporating this into their plans. Luckily, Hawaiian Electric offers a DC Fast Charger network that supports access to public chargers and accelerating the use of electric vehicles. Through the network, we’re able to provide our customers with more charging options.

What’s enticing about a fast charger is that they really are quick. A near-depleted EV battery can be recharged to 80 percent capacity in 30 minutes, which means even less time for smaller recharges. They’re great for travelers on the road in need of a quick charge and residents who need to charge up and don’t have the ability to at home.

A second DC Fast Charger was installed at the Ward Office location due to high usage at this location.

There are currently a dozen utility-owned chargers at sites across Oahu, Maui and Hawaii Island. Use of the original single Ward charger was significant enough to warrant installation of a second charger there and another at Iwilei. Providing access to public fast chargers ensures that all electric vehicle owners or users have the capability of charging their vehicle — regardless of where they live.

As electric vehicle adoption continues to increase in Hawaii, it’s clear they will play an important role in reaching our State’s clean energy goals. As we are all becoming more environmentally conscious, it’s promising to see new developments, like the Drive Electric Hawaii initiative, incorporate sustainability into transportation plans and encourage electrified transportation.

Carly Hiromoto is the digital communications and social media specialist at Hawaiian Electric Company.

Resources:

· UHERO — “The Role of Policy and Peers in EV Adoption”

· Hawaii State Energy Office — STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS & INCENTIVES

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