New hope for high-rise residents considering an electric vehicle

by Peter Rosegg | Feb. 20, 2019

So many of us live in apartments or condos or high-rises — officially called multi-unit dwellings — and driving an electric vehicle can present a big challenge: Where to charge?

People in single-family homes can install a charger in the garage, or just use the extension cord that comes with every EV to plug into any household outlet. In an emergency, far from home, they can find a public Level Two charger or one of Hawaiian Electric’s DC Fast Chargers for a top-off. But home charging is not available for most people who live in MUDs (such a lovely acronym).

Now, Hawaii Energy, the energy efficiency campaign reporting to the PUC, and Hawaii-focused impact investment firm, Ulupono Initiative, are stepping up (or taking charge, if you will). They have rolled out an incentive to help MUDs and workplaces install or upgrade EV chargers.

You can read the offer and small print at http://hawaiienergy.com/evcharging. But the basic idea is that qualifying workplaces and multi‐unit dwellings on Oahu, Maui, Hawaii Island, Lanai, and Molokai can get a $5,000 rebate for each new Level Two charging station or $1,500 for each charging station amped up from single to dual ports.

Apartment dwellers or those charging where they work still need to learn to share with others so the maximum number of vehicles can get a place at the “pump,” but this is still a step up from having to drive around and find a public charge spot.

As the man on the radio says, this is a limited-time offer and terms apply, but if you live in an apartment or park in a building where you work, it would be worth checking out. It will take time to convince your condo association, building owner or boss to consider this first-ever opportunity. So don’t wait.

Peter Rosegg is a senior corporate relations specialist at Hawaiian Electric Company.