State runs short of funds for EV rebate

By Alan Yonan Jr.

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, May 18, 2012

~~<p>A state program that provided Hawaii motorists with $4,500 toward the purchase of plug-in electric vehicles has ended earlier than expected because high consumer demand depleted the fund.</p>
<p>The state issued more than 450 rebates totaling about $2 million between January 2011 and when the funds ran out earlier this month. The state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism extended the program twice, adding $150,000 in January and $350,000 in March. DBEDT officials originally had expected the March infusion to keep the program going until November, but demand was higher than anticipated.</p>
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A state program that provided Hawaii motorists with $4,500 toward the purchase of plug-in electric vehicles has ended earlier than expected because high consumer demand depleted the fund.

The state issued more than 450 rebates totaling about $2 million between January 2011 and when the funds ran out earlier this month. The state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism extended the program twice, adding $150,000 in January and $350,000 in March. DBEDT officials originally had expected the March infusion to keep the program going until November, but demand was higher than anticipated. Login for more...