According to PlugShare.com, 724 public charging stations are available for electric cars spread across the islands of Hawaii. Using an online map will easily help you locate the closest one to you.
Electric car sales in Hawaii are up over 30%, in favor of cheaper mileage and better environmental outcomes than gas-powered cars. With the Aloha State’s commitment to achieving a zero emissions clean economy by 2045, plug-in EV purchases will come with $2,500 to $7,500 in federal tax credits. Plans to significantly expand the charging network are also in negotiation.
While electric car or plug-in hybrid owners in Hawaii may have a charging station at home, it’s still a good idea to know where the charging stations are when you’re out and about. Trusted car insurance
broker app Jerry
is here to help you find the nearest EV charging stations and find cheap car insurance
in Hawaii! Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars 4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers Where to find electric vehicle charging stations in Hawaii
Before finding EV charging locations near you, there are a few factors to consider to ensure charging compatibility. The first thing to know is the different types of charging equipment available and which one your car needs:
Level 1: 120 volts, like a household outlet; can take over 24 hours to charge; ideal for plug-in hybrids
Level 2: 220 volts; takes between 4 and 8 hours to charge; ideal for home charging
Level 3:DC fast charging; can charge at a maximum rate of 20 miles per minute; ideal on road trips
Tesla Supercharger:Tesla’s proprietary DC fast chargers; usually averages more plugs per site
Most public chargers in Hawaii are Level 2 chargers, with Level 3 chargers concentrated in Honolulu. Finding a public Level 1 charger is rare since it takes too long to reach a full charge, but there are two—one at the Maui Beach Hotel and the other at the Westin Ka’anapali Ocean Resort.
There are a couple of websites mapping out EV chargers in Hawaii:
ChargeHub
: Shows Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 (DCFC), and Tesla Supercharger stationsPlugShare:
Shows user reviews, charger types, parking information, and pricing
Hawaii cities with the most EV charging stations
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MORE: How to choose an eco-friendly car
How much does it cost to charge an electric car in Hawaii?
Although Hawaii has one of the highest charging rates in the nation, charging an EV is still cheaper on average than filling up a gas tank. However, not all charging stations are free. Below is an overview of the pricing you can expect in Hawaii.
Level 1 chargers are slow but are usually free to use. If you do need to pay for Level 1 charging, it’s typically the cheapest form of EV charging equipment. However, the two Level 1 stations in Hawaii are located at hotels and are consequently limited to guest use.
Moving up to the faster chargers also means more expensive electricity rates. Level 2 charging is offered for free at some locations but there is usually a charge starting at $0.40 per kWh. If you’re charging a 100 kWh battery at this rate, it would cost $40.
Some charging stations charge by the hour and can cost $1 to $5 per hour of charging. Assuming it takes around five to six hours to charge, you can expect to pay $5 to $30. The actual cost will depend on your vehicle, how long you charge for, and which location you are using.
The most efficient EV charging stations are DC fast chargers which may have higher rates than Level 2 chargers. However, you also shorten the amount of time needed to charge your vehicle so the cost is similar if you are charged hourly.
Depending on the charging location, there may also be a parking fee. But if you plan to charge at the same location all the time, you may be able to save on charging costs if monthly memberships are offered.
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Hawaii electric vehicle incentives
Finding a public charging station on some Hawaiian islands, such as Moloka’i and Lanai, may be tricky. Fortunately, there are negotiations with the Hawaiian government to increase the EV charging network to better support electric vehicles.
The State of Hawaii currently does not offer any rebates or tax credits on electric car purchases. However, EV drivers can enjoy perks such as free parking and high occupancy vehicle lane usage.
Nevertheless, the U.S Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center is currently offering a federal tax credit for the purchase of new qualified plug-in electric vehicles with the following specifications:
The EV is powered by a traction battery with at least 4 kWh capacity
Uses an external source of energy to recharge
Gross vehicle weight of up to 14,000 lbs
Meets minimum emission standards
The minimum credit amount is $2,500 and can be up to $7,500. The amount you get will be based on your vehicle’s traction battery capacity and gross weight rating.
MORE: Hawaii electric vehicle incentives
How to save on electric car insurance in Hawaii
Driving an electric car in Hawaii will help you save a lot—especially with the rapidly rising fuel costs. The caveat is that electric vehicle insurance
tends to be more expensive compared to gas-powered vehicles due to their higher repair costs. For comparison, Tesla Model 3 insurance costs
average about $1,810 a year. On the other hand, Toyota Tacoma insurance costs
(Hawaii’s most popular vehicle) are under $1,000 a year. Your insurance rate also depends on your exact location—the highest rates are found in Hilo on the Big Island and the lowest rates are in Kahului, Kihei, and Wailuku. No matter where you live or what you drive, you can find ways to get the best coverage at the lowest rates. As a licensed insurance broker and a comparison shopping expert, Jerry
has all the resources you need to make an informed choice on car insurance. Download the app to instantly access low insurance rates that could save you over $800 on your car insurance!
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