Hawaii’s first electric city bus hits the street
Feb. 6, 2018
As Hawaii’s communities continue to grow and change, infrastructure and transportation needs also should evolve. Electrification of transportation plays a critical role in our progress toward a clean energy future for Hawaii.
In 2017, we helped bring together more than 60 energy and transportation experts, dealers, manufacturers and public officials for a workshop to discuss strategies for advancing Hawaii’s electrification of transportation efforts. Hawaii already has the second highest rate of electric vehicle adoption in the U.S., but much more can be done.
The next segment to see significant growth is likely the electrification of delivery trucks, transit buses and specialty vehicles like shuttles and freight terminal tractors. Companies are already making waves in providing greener alternatives for mass transportation like Proterra, a mainland-based company that has been revolutionizing the transportation industry with their highly-efficient, zero-emission buses.
Proterra offers clean, quiet, mass transportation that is proven through more than four million miles of service in communities across the U.S. with America’s popular electric bus — The Catalyst®. The Proterra Catalyst® bus is zero-emission, powered by electric battery, and is the market’s highest-efficiency electric bus with the greatest range of any bus in its class. It can travel 26 mpg compared to 4 mpg for a standard bus. The vehicles can be charged at a plug-in depot or en route and between routes with a network of overhead fast chargers.
The Catalyst® recently made an appearance in the streets of Downtown Honolulu. We’re working with state and city officials and other stakeholders to assess if this is a viable option for the state’s transportation needs. On Jan. 30, 2018, Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell unveiled the city’s first electric bus. Mayors for other counties in Hawaii also are looking to bring an electric bus to their respective islands.
Hawaii’s first electric bus will be in service on Oahu throughout February during the six-week pilot period. The bus will transport passengers on 23 established test routes, including the North Shore. If you happen to see it, you might not hear the nearly silent electric bus as it passes.
As a utility company, we need to be prepared for the changing needs of our customers and communities. “This isn’t just Hawaii, this is a global movement and we have to be ready,” said Brennon Morioka, Hawaiian Electric’s general manager of electrification of transportation. As transit takes a new route toward electrification, we will be there to support the transformation.
