The Transportation Working Group is dedicated to establishing a sustainable alternative-fuel strategy to help reduce Hawai'i's dependence on imported oil.

 

GOAL

A primary goal of this working group is to reduce the consumption of petroleum in ground transportation.

 

 

OBJECTIVES

The Transportation working group is working toward the following objectives:

  • Improve the standard vehicle efficiency of the fleet.
  • Reduce the overall number of vehicle miles traveled (VMT) per vehicle.
  • Expand the use of renewable fuels in the transportation sector.
  • Accelerate the deployment of electric vehicles and related infrastructure.

Within the first five years, HCEI hopes to increase on-road vehicle fleet efficiency; this will require a number of actions, including:

  • Promoting the purchase of more efficient vehicles.
  • Promoting commute reduction options such as telecommuting and car/van pooling.
  • Maintaining the current public transit system and renewable fuel blending standards.
  • Providing incentives for the purchase of electric vehicles.

 

 

ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE

  • Sales of Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) reached approximately 2% of annual vehicle sales for a total of 6,500 HEV's.
  • Oahu Transit Services (TheBus) is operating 80 HEV transit buses in routine service.
  • Current public transit system (TheBus) is one of the most highly ridden per capita in the nation.
  • 10% of the gasoline fueled transportation fleet fuel (~50 MGY) displaced through use of Ethanol in blending standards.
  • The State is promoting vehicle industry participation through partnerships with automotive manufacturers and EV equipment and infrastructure suppliers (e.g. Better Place, Nissan, CT&T, Coda and Phoenix for roll-out of Electric Vehicles and associated infrastructure). The Hawaii EV-Ready Program will provide grants and rebates for the installation of EV chargers and the purchase of electric vehicles.
  • General Motors and the Gas Company have announced a partnership to develop hydrogen production distribution and fuel cell vehicles for Hawaii.
  • Renewable Hydrogen production, refueling, and hydrogen fleet demonstration established at Honolulu's Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.
  • The City and County of Honolulu fleet continues to use locally-produced biodiesel (B20).
  • Initiated Hawaii EV Ready Program, which will provide $4M in grants and rebates through ARRA funding for the installation of EV charging network and the purchase of new, commercially-available full-speed electric and plug in vehicles.
  • EV Pilot Rates approved by the PUC and went into effect on October 1st, 2010 (HECO/MECO/HELCO).

 

CONTACTS

 

 

 

Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative