Automaker Mitsubishi and the state of Hawaii are teaming up to promote the use of electric cars across the islands. The plan is to offer an extra $4,500 discount on electric cars sold in Hawaii, in addition to the federal $7,500 tax rebate, and install a system of fast Level 3 EV chargers across the islands. Mitsubishi plans to roll out its i-MiEV electric car in Hawaii later this year, and clearly wants the state to be ready to handle the fast-charging little car, which can reach 80% charge in 30 minutes using a DC port for the aforementioned Level 3 fast chargers.
With the Hawaii rebate plus the federal rebate, the i-MiEV could cost as little as $15,990, which could be an attractive price for an EV that has a top speed of 80 miles per hour and range of 85 miles, which is just about what most island residents might need. Hawaii’s goal is to move to 70% of its power coming from renewable energy sources, and EVs combined with a renewable source of electricity for charging them could move the state a big step forward toward its objective of a clean Hawaii.
Via Earth Techling
In 2007, Hawaii had 1.13 million and a population of 1.28 million. Maybe these smaller EVs are a good answer for Hawaii’s traffic problems, but can the power grid handle what could potentially be a lot of new EVs plugging in? Let’s be optimistic and assume that 10% of drivers will buy an EV, roughly 113,000 EVs. Can the power grid in Hawaii handle 113,000 level 3 chargers being plugged all potentially at the same time? (Drive to work, plug in, drive home, plug in).
What if the financial incentives really take off and 20% of the cars become EV?