The Aloha State goes electric, surpassing 30k EVs

Mar 27, 2024

Electric vehicle (EV) ownership continues its upward trajectory in the islands with more than 30,000 registered EVs now cruising the roads. The new numbers are an impressive 30.8% higher from February 2023. On Maui, the increase is even greater as the island gets new charging stations as part of a federal program.

“Maui County saw a remarkable 38% increase in registered electric vehicles in February 2024 compared to the previous year,” said Rob Weltman, director of the Maui EV Association. “This clearly demonstrates the strong enthusiasm among Maui auto owners for eco-friendly, high-performance vehicles that are enjoyable to drive.”

He added: “To sustain and further drive this trend towards electric vehicles, it is imperative to rapidly expand the public EV charging infrastructure across the island. The introduction of the high-powered NEVI charging stations in Kahului marks an important initial stride towards establishing widespread fast charging capabilities throughout Maui.” 

Thinking about going electric? 

Drive Electric Hawaii is a wonderful resource for current EV owners and those thinking about making the switch to an electric vehicle. The coalition’s mission is to increase knowledge and the adoption of EVs in Hawaii. In addition to videos and an EV expert directory if you’re ready to purchase, Drive Electric Hawaii sponsors events throughout the state to familiarize residents with the benefits of EV ownership. Check out the Top 10 FAQ resource on its website to get some of your most common questions about EVs answered today!

You can also check out ThinkTech Hawaii for a recent discussion of the state of EVs in Hawaii and strategies to supercharge public adoption. This episode features Melissa Pavlicek, executive director of the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association, and Michael Colón, director of energy at Ulupono Initiative as expert guests.