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Hawaiian Electric electric vehicle fast chargers are getting a face-lift with a new company-branded vinyl wrap as the electric utility firm continues to focus on charging station reliability to support Hawai‘i’s growing electric vehicle market.
The wrap — emblazoned with the Hawaiian Electric logo — was unveiled earlier this week at the company’s Ward Avenue electric vehicle charging location in Honolulu.
Hawaiian Electric officials also provided an update about work being done by the utility to support the electrification of transportation throughout its service territory.
Those efforts include:
“Featuring the Hawaiian Electric logo celebrates our public charging network’s evolution beyond the pilot stage that began 12 years ago, reflecting the spirit of connection, reliability and progress for Hawai‘i,” said Hawaiian Electric Director of Electrification of Transportation Aki Marceau in a utility press release.
It is widely recognized that electrifying ground transportation will be an important key as Hawai‘i strives to meet its decarbonization goals.
A report from the Hawai‘i State Energy Office found that ground transportation accounts for about 18% of total greenhouse gas emissions in the Aloha State.
The number of registered electric vehicles on Hawai‘i’s roadways has increased more than 10-fold during the past decade to nearly 40,000 today. Nearly every major automobile manufacturer now offers a fully electric or plug-in hybrid option in their vehicle lineup.
The Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association reported that these two categories accounted for about 15% of Hawai‘i vehicle registrations in the third quarter of this year.
Electric vehicle charging is also becoming an increasingly significant share of Hawaiian Electric’s load.
Charging on electric vehicle rates, such as those used by electric buses, the Hawaiian Electric public charging network, and third party-operated public charging stations exceeds 1.28 million kilowatt hours monthly.
That’s equivalent to the average monthly energy consumption of about 2,500 homes.
Electric vehicle charging by 2027 is forecast to become as big as Hawaiian Electric’s third largest customer group by load.
The Public Utilities Commission in June issued a significant order recognizing the progress Hawaiian Electric has made in developing its public charging program, launched as a pilot in 2013.
Commissioners removed the pilot designation and raised from 25 to 50 the number of metered sites the company can deploy fast chargers.
Hawaiian Electric currently owns and operates 34 fast chargers at 26 locations on four islands.
In the meantime, Hawaiian Electric is continuing to replace its first-generation fast chargers — based on age and performance — with new Tritium Retail Modular chargers that enhance the electric vehicle driver experience and increase charger reliability.
The Tritium Retail Modular seals out contaminants such as dust, salt, moisture and insects that can degrade internal components and reduce equipment life.
The chargers also feature a modular power architecture that contributes to improved up-time and allows for fast and simple repairs in the field.
Hawaiian Electric also started adding a new connector type to some of its chargers to accommodate vehicles with North American Charging Standard ports.
It’s estimated that some 70% to 80% of electric vehicle models will be sold with North American Charging Standard ports by the end of this year — and the number is expected to grow.

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