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.

The state also has awarded $2.6 million in federal stimulus grants to cover the cost of more than 230 public charging stations at 80 locations statewide.

"We set out to stimulate electric vehicle demand and build a network of charging stations to meet that demand," said Mark Glick, energy program administrator for DBEDT’s Energy Office.

"The public response has exceeded expectations, and we are happy to report that Hawaii consumers are adopting EVs much more readily than the national average," he said. "The widespread adoption of EVs is a critical part of our strategy to become 70 percent energy independent by the year 2030."

Hawaii car buyers are still eligible for federal tax incentives of up to $7,500 for qualified plug-in EVs.

There were 422 highway-capable EVs sold in Hawaii last year. The Nissan Leaf, introduced in the state in January 2011, was the top seller with 361 vehicles sold. Mitsu­bishi sold 31 versions of its all-electric iMiEV, while Chevrolet sold 30 plug-in hybrid Volts.