Hawaiian Electric Co. opened its fifth electric vehicle charging station Thursday.
The charging station, near HECO’s office at 820 Ward Ave., makes for 203 electric charging stations with 455 outlets in the state, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
The station is a DC Fast Charger similar to the four other stations HECO has installed. The other stations are at Dole Plantation in Wahiawa, Koolau Center in Kaneohe, 7-Eleven in Hawaii Kai and Kapolei Commons in Kapolei.
HECO said that the fast charger will help eliminate range anxiety for EV drivers. Additionally, the fast charger will serve EV owners residing in multi-unit dwellings in the Honolulu area who might not have access to EV charging in their buildings.
“It just gives people assurance that there is some place for them to go,” said Peter Rosegg, spokesman for Hawaiian Electric Co.
The station can recharge a near-depleted battery to 80 percent capacity in 30 minutes, HECO said.
It will cost drivers $6.50 to charge but can cost slightly more during times of peak electrical use or less if used during overnight hours. Drivers will be able pay by credit card or through a Greenlots smartphone app.
Information on charging, including the current price, is available at hawaiianelectric.com/goev.
HECO plans to eventually open 25 charging stations across Oahu, Maui and the Big Island.
“This is one of the key components for us,” said Alan Oshima, president and CEO of HECO, at the blessing for the Ward charging station.
Oshima said the utility wants to facilitate the discussion about EVs.
“We have to work with the dealers, work with the state, the city and regulators,” he said. “The first experience has to be good, otherwise people get weary of the technology. We try to make it so the first experience is a good one.”
Oshima said the utility is actively looking for hosting sites.
“We try to get third parties to allow this. … Sometimes we are able to and sometimes we are not, because it takes up space,” Oshima said. “We’re looking at Waianae, we’re looking at shopping centers mainly that will give us space. Some see it as a draw because when people are charging, they go and shop.”
State law requires public parking lots with at least 100 parking spaces to have at least one parking space for electric vehicles equipped with a charging station. There is no enforcement mechanism currently in place for this law.
