Hawaiian Electric is accepting applications for its new Charge Up Commercial pilot program, the electricity provider announced this week.
The three-year pilot program intends to help customers reduce the upfront cost of installing electric vehicle charging equipment in stores, businesses, condominiums, office buildings, and fleet and parking facilities, according to the company. Hawaiian Electric will pay up to $90,000 per project to install equipment, including transformers, conduit and electric panels, to support customer-purchased charging stations, according to Alan Yonan Jr., senior communications specialist at Hawaiian Electric.
The $5 million program aims to help establish up to 30 new charging sites across Oahu, Hawaii Island, and Maui County, according to Hawaiian Electric. In addition to reducing the cost of charging infrastructure, the company will be available as an advisor to its customers from start to finish, according to Yonan.
“We’re excited to give businesses, condos and apartments the opportunity to meet current demand and get ahead of the curve by installing electric vehicle charging equipment,” Aki Marceau, director of electrification of transportation at Hawaiian Electric, said in a statement. “Not only is it good for business, but installing charging stations sends a clear message that you support Hawaii’s ambitious clean energy goals.”
The pilot also uses a time-of-use rate structure that incentivizes charging during midday hours when there is more solar energy on the grid, according to Hawaiian Electric. The cost of the charging station will depend on the type of charging station and configuration.
"For example, a customer may be looking at two charging stations with two ports each, or four individual charging stations with one port each," Yonan said in an email to PBN. "Installing individual charging stations may take more time and materials to install."
