Ka’u, Hawaii
Photo: Les Williams
According to the latest report from Insurify, more than half a million hybrid and electric vehicles sold in 2017. The report also ranked the top 10 states with the highest ownership rates for hybrid and electric vehicles. Hawaii placed second on the list, just below California.
As the report articulated, 4.31 percent of Hawaii’s overall vehicles are either hybrid or electric. The state also boasts a 7.07 MMT rating for transportation CO2 emissions per capita, which Insurify based on the 2018 U.S. Energy Information Administration report.
Insurify listed several reasons that make Hawaii such an EV-friendly location. For one thing, EV drivers can use HOV (high-occupancy vehicle) lanes at all times. They’re also exempt from paying gasoline taxes, as well as parking meter charges and parking fees at state or municipal lots.
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Governor David Ige recently set a goal of making Hawaii a zero-emission clean economy by 2045. It comes as no surprise considering the state’s overall ethos of prioritizing the environment. Visitors continue to flock to the island for eco-tourism vacations, whether to participate in a lava ocean tour, snorkeling or scuba diving adventure, or embark on a whale watching trip.
One small obstacle that might impact the green car trend in Hawaii is that the state representatives recently advanced a bill to increase registration fees for electric and hybrid vehicles. Only time will tell if residents will keep valuing clean air and buying alternative-fuel vehicles despite the increased registration costs. However, given Hawaii’s legacy of reducing greenhouse emissions and preserving the regional beauty of the island, it might be a small price to pay for cultivating a sustainable future.
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News Sources: Hawaii News Now, Insurify
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