The Electric Garage
Welcome to The Electric Garage! Getting more folks out of their gas-burning cars and into electric vehicles will go a long way toward helping Hawaii meet its ambitious decarbonization goals. Hawaiian Electric is deeply committed to this effort and is continually looking for ways to provide customers with the tools they need to take part in this transformation.
The Electric Garage provides another channel for Hawaiian Electric to engage with its customers and keep them informed as EV technologies evolve and the automakers increase their offering of EV models. There will be speed bumps as we forge ahead but Hawaiian Electric stands ready to serve as a trusted resource to its customers on this journey.
The Electric Garage spotlight
Photo Credit: Electric DEPO
EPA announces over $1 million to Hawaii for zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles as part of nationwide Inflation Reduction Act investment
Dec. 11, 2024 – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that the County of Hawaii, Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity, and Resilience, has been tentatively selected to receive $1,000,092 to help purchase three zero-emission vehicles through EPA’s first-ever Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles Grant Program. With this funding, the County of Hawaii will replace three diesel vocational vehicles with zero-emission electric models, install three charging stations for the new vehicles at County automotive base yards, and purchase workforce development training programs. In addition, the County intends to develop a workforce development strategy for County fleet transformation.
Read full article from epa.gov
Photo Credit: Audrey Henderson
Illinois’ largest utility unveils $100M to spur EV adoption
Feb. 11, 2025 – As the Trump administration attempts to block billions of dollars in federal funds for electric vehicle charging, an Illinois utility is moving forward with a massive investment to promote wider EV adoption.
Photo Credit: McKinsey & Company
Could extended-range EVs nudge more car buyers toward full electric?
Feb. 10, 2025 – Slowing battery-electric-vehicle sales growth reflects consumer price consciousness and range anxiety. Could extended-range EVs persuade more buyers of traditional cars to make the switch?
Photo Credit: WeaveGrid
The EV managed charging problem no one wants to talk about
Feb. 10, 2025 – Managed charging is starting to scale. Utilities and regulators recognize its potential to shift EV charging to low-cost times, balance the grid, and put downward pressure on rates. But there’s a growing issue: not all managed charging approaches are created equal.
Photo Credit: Blue Ridge
Ready for a new era of driving
Feb. 10, 2025 – On your daily commute, you probably see numerous electric vehicles (EVs) on the road, even if you don’t know it. Once novel and prohibitively expensive, EVs have become far more mainstream in recent years. Technological advances, along with the entry of more manufacturers into the EV market, have made these vehicles accessible to a larger audience.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Electric vehicles set records: smart policy can ensure America leads global markets
Feb. 9, 2025 – Nearly 135 years ago, the first electric vehicle drove around the streets of Des Moines, Iowa. It carried an impressive six passengers but could only go 14 miles per hour – we’ve come a long way since then.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
DOT suspends Biden’s $5B electric vehicle charging network effort
Feb. 7, 2025 – Most of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure funds have already been awarded to states, however, and some observers say the Trump administration cannot end the program with just a memo.