Hawaiian Electric debuts pilot program to encourage electric vehicle chargers through lower rate incentives

The Hawaii Public Utilities Commission approved a five-year pilot program from Hawaiian Electric to encourage electric vehicle adoption by reducing electricity costs and demand charges for commercial customers who host charger systems.

The program will incentivize through a time-of-use rate structure, rewarding the use of chargers during midday hours when solar energy is at its peak. This will be coupled with new rates for medium-sized commercial customers such as office buildings, fleet facilities, malls, and condominiums. These rates will take two forms: the EV-J and the EV-P rates.

EV-J is focused on Level 2 and small-scale DC fast chargers and will be opened only to the first 1,000 customers. The second rate, EV-P, will allow even fewer customers – just 500 – but will encourage the use of larger, DC fast chargers. Both rates will offer lower demand charges than existing rates, though they will apply to electric vehicle charging only and demand new, dedicated meters to track this usage.

“We know there is growing demand for electric vehicle charging in all market segments across Hawaii, including with our commercial customers,” Aki Marceau, Hawaiian Electric’s director of electrification of transportation, said. “We can support this demand by providing well-designed rates that leverage the clean energy produced in the middle of the day and make it easier for all our customers to participate in the transition to electrified transportation.”

These rates will be available beginning mid-March on Oahu, Maui, and Hawaii island. Their associated rates apply solely to the bills for operators of given charging stations. The costs to drivers for use will be determined by particular sites.

In addition to helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Hawaiian Electric predicts the new program will offer savings between 7 percent to 58 percent compared to existing rates.