Electric Vehicles

• ... are cleaner, quieter, and more efficient than gasoline powered cars.
  
  
• ... can reduce pollution, noise and particulate matter from tour buses in resort areas. This will enhance the tourist experience.
  
  
• ... are eligible for special license plates, free parking at meters, and exemption from High Occupancy Vehicle lane restrictions. See Act 290.
  
  
• ... manufacturing is a clean, high technology industry with a high value added product. New jobs have been created to convert electric vehicles and service them.
  
  
• ... may be powered by clean, renewable energy sources such as wind, water and solar power.
  
  
• ... are powered by electricity, our most familiar source of energy. We use it daily in our homes, businesses and industries.

   Also:

• It is possible to develop a Rapid Charger Network on Oahu.
  
  
• More new firms will follow as market develops, adding to tax revenues.
  
  
• With the Hawaii Center for Advanced Transportation Technologies, Hawaii is at the forefront of electric vehicle and component research and development.

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION

• Rechargeable batteries power an electric motor.
• Electric vehicles are also very energy-efficient. Some use regenerative braking, where energy from braking is captured and returned to the batteries.
• With electric vehicles, there's no need for tune-ups, air filters, emissions controls, or exhaust systems.

VEHICLE AVAILABILITY

• Electric vehicles are manufactured by a number of car companies, including Honda, General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, Global Electric Motors, U.S. Electricar, Solectria, Toyota, Hyundai, and Nissan.
   
  
• For a listing of this model year's vehicles, go to: www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/.
   
• Electric-powered forklifts and utility vehicles have been in use for many years.
   
• Electric vehicles (such as the GEM car) are commercially available in Hawaii.
   
• Electric vehicle rentals are available from specialty car rental companies such as "Aloha Toy Store" on Maui.
   
• There are now over 50 electric and fuel cell vehicles in Hawaii. Vehicles in commercial operation have included E Noa Tours' "Waikiki Trolley."

COST

• Fuel cost per mile is less than other fuels.
• Less expensive maintenance since no more: oil changes, filter changes, mufflers, catalytic converters, tune-ups, etc.
• Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (e.g. the GEM car) have lower operating costs than similar (e.g. delivery and Cushman-type) vehicles, plus get free parking, produce zero pollution, and cost between $9,000 and $12,000.
• For highway-capable vehicles, purchase cost is higher than other alternative fuel vehicles, as may be expected as long as there are limited quantities and new technologies. Costs are expected to come down with mass production (see "vehicle availability" section above).

FUELING

• Being able to refuel by plugging the electric vehicle into an outlet at home, instead of having to go to a gas station, is a convenience appreciated by electric vehicle owners.
• Nearly every home and business has electrical service that can support electric vehicle recharging.
• The annual cost of electricity for recharging is about 1/3 less than the annual cost of gasoline for a comparable type of vehicle.
• Electric cars typically take about 2-8 hours to recharge using regular electrical outlets. With special rapid chargers, it takes less than 10 minutes.

FUEL AVAILABILITY

• Basic infrastructure elements (power generation, power lines, electrical outlets) are already in place.
• Additional infrastructure ("fast-charge" and "convenience charge") being designed and developed by consortia worldwide, including work in Hawaii.

EMISSIONS

• Electric vehicles are "Zero Emission Vehicles." They don't have any tailpipe emissions to contribute to smog in urban (city) areas.
• In most parts of the U.S. (including Hawaii), electric vehicles are cleaner per mile than gasoline powered cars even with the emissions from the power plant accounted for.

AND...

• EVs (and solar vehicles, incorporating EV technological advancements) have been successfully built and raced by Hawaii teams - in many cases, doing as well or better than famous name competitors.
• Electric vehicles are in use in Hawaii. For example:
  
  

  E Noa Trolley	Rapid charger	DAGS' EVs
  Electric Bus	Clean Cities	Solar Racer

  
  
• The current record for the longest distance traveled by an electric car on a single charge is 1043 miles using zinc-air batteries.
• The top speed record for an electric car is 206 miles per hour!
• Electric vehicles are gaining attention as clean, fun, and high-tech.
• Electric vehicles are perhaps the most environmentally harmless means of motorized transportation that we can choose from.

OTHER LINKS

• Check out the fact sheets (including EVs, fuel cells, ICEs) & activities in the Alternative Fuels Activity Book! (www.state.hi.us/dbedt/ert/activitybook).
• Visit the NATIONAL CLEAN CITIES HOMEPAGE at www.ccities.doe.gov
• Energy Education Resources: Kindergarten Through 12th Grade - www.eia.doe.gov/bookshelf/eer/kiddietoc.html
• Electric Power Research Institute, www.epri.com/et/ , with a "New EV Showroom," research, policy and infrastructure overviews, and an "EV museum."
• Union of Concerned Scientists, www.ucsusa.org , "working for a healthier environment and a safer world."
• EV World Magazine (e-zine) www.evworld.com, features the latest in electric vehicle news and technology

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