Hawaiian Electric commits to 100 percent electric fleet by 2035

Hawaiian Electric has pledged to have every passenger car, SUV, light pickup, and minivan in its fleet be electric by 2025

It is part of a nationwide commitment to the electrification of transportation by many companies that are members of the Edison Electric Institute, a national organization of investor-owned utilities.

Currently, about one-quarter of Hawaiian Electric’s fleet of 925 vehicles is electric, which leads the state in electric fleets.

“We recognize our responsibility to lead our state’s eMobility movement by example,” Aki Marceau, Hawaiian Electric electrification of transportation director, said. “We’re committing to purchasing electric vehicles and installing the needed chargers. We also want to encourage and help others to electrify fleets and provide workplace charging for employees and customers.”.

Electric vehicles offer maintenance and fuel savings over the lifetime of the vehicles, Hawaiian Electric officials said. They say an electric SUV available costs 25 percent less to own and operate compared to a gas SUV, truck, or van over ten years. These savings offset any additional costs at the time of purchase. However, officials say prices for some electric vehicles are dropping.

Further, electric vehicles reduce fossil fuel use and emissions, which supports the state’s goal to achieve 100 percent clean energy by 2045.

EEI asked members to spend at least 5 percent of their annual fleet purchasing budget on plug-in vehicles in 2014. Hawaiian Electric is among 60 percent of EEI member companies that committed to the challenge.