Five new electric vehicle charging stations are now available for public use on Kauai.

Two stations are located next to the Kauai Museum fronting Rice Street. Two more are located next to the Historic County Building and one is located next to the Piikoi Building by the old Big Save loading dock.

The charging stations provide 208/240 volts for vehicles that have a J-1772 port such as a Nissan Leaf or a Chevy Volt.

To use the stations, a motorist will be required to call a toll-free number, 888-833-2148, and indicate how many hours of charging the user wants to purchase. Cost is $2 an hour. A credit card is required to use the station.

Last year, Kauai County received a $276,000 EV grant from the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The grant was used to purchase 10 chargers: five for county use and five for public use. A Nissan Leaf also was purchased under the grant for county use.