This is an update on a couple of measures that allow for enforcement of the law requiring EV charging stations and dedicated parking stalls in large parking facilities.
As reported previously, these measures were winding their way through our legislative process. I did not hear back from a contact at the Energy office regarding how we might help move things along. It appears that some progress has been made with one of the measures. Importantly, you can take steps immediately to help raise awareness of the importance and necessity of these bills.
THE LATEST
HB 2221 (establishes fines for non-conformance) was heard on March 4 and it passed. It has now been transferred to the Senate Ways and Means Committee for consideration.
SB 2515 (establishes specific requirements related to the number of EV parking stalls, based on the size of the parking facility and enforcement procedures) has not been heard. The Transportation and Energy Committee passed this on February 17 and it is currently with the Ways and Means Committee.
CALL-TO-ACTION
Silence is not heard. Let’s all take a few steps to help build the EV charging infrastructure that will encourage further adoption of EVs in Hawaii.
Please send an email or call Sen. Jill Tokuda and Sen. Donavan Dela Cruz (Chair and Vice Chair of the Hawaii State Committee on Ways and Means, respectively) and Sen. Lorraine Inouye to express your support of sustainable transportation, its value to you and the environment; the frustration with the lack of enforcement of Act 89; and the importance of HB 2221 and SB 2515 in helping to encourage compliance with the law. Please ask that these measures be heard and supported. Contact Information:
Jill N. Tokuda – Senate District 24
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 207
phone: 808-587-7215
fax: 808-587-7220
sentokuda@capitol.hawaii.gov
Donovan M. Dela Cruz – Senate District 22
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 202
phone: 808-586-6090
fax: 808-586-6091
sendelacruz@capitol.hawaii.gov
Lorraine Inouye – Senate District 4
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 210
phone: 808-586-7335
fax: 808-586-7339
seninouye@capitol.hawaii.gov
DETAILS
The following details and more can be found at the State Legislature website. Click the links below for more information.
HB 2221: Establishes fines beginning January 1, 2017, for owners of parking facilities with at least one hundred parking spaces that do not provide at least one parking space equipped with a charging system exclusively for electric vehicles. Allows for a warning prior to being fined for a first violation. Here’s the copy of the bill.
Last Action: 4MAR2016 – “Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Kong, McDermott voting no (2) and Representative(s) DeCoite, Saiki, Tupola excused (3). Transmitted to Senate.”
- Representatives who voted No:
- Sam Kong District 33
- Bob McDermott District 40
Testimony Submitted: Testimony HB2221 HD1
- Disability and Communication Access Board – expressed no position but highlighted the need to ensure that 1) the EV parking space does not displace or reduce the number of accessible parking stalls under the ADA and 2) EV parking and charger requirements meet ADA requirements – an EV owner with a disability must be able to use the space.
- Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism – Expressed concern about the timeframe for property owners (120 days) may not be sufficient. It also recommends that exceptions be made in cases of financial and engineering hardship.
- Office of Economic Development – Kauai County – Supports the measure and offers a number of suggestions related to actual enforcement.
- Ulupono Initiative – Supports the measure and offers suggestions related to the size of the parking facility, exceptions, and clarity surrounding the enforcement process.
- Blue Planet – Offered support for the measure, calling attention to the fact that it would incent non-compliant facilities to conform with the law (Act 89).
SB 2515: Requires, in places of public accommodation, a ratio of one electric vehicle parking stall per 100 stalls by 2017 and a ratio of two electric vehicle parking stalls per 100 stalls by the year 2022. Designates the appropriate county authority having jurisdiction over planning and permitting for enforcement. Specifies procedures for enforcement. Effective 7/1/2050. Here’s the copy of the bill.
Last Action:
- 17FEB2016 – “The committee(s) on TRE recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in TRE were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Inouye, Chun Oakland, English, Kidani; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 3 Excused: Senator(s) Gabbard, Nishihara, Slom.”
- 19FEB2016 – “Reported from TRE (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2465) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM. Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.”
Testimony Submitted: Testimony SB2515
- Department of Transportation Services – City and County of Honolulu – Shared strong concerns about the proposed fines. “Since 2012, subject to the availability of funds, the City was able to install charging stations at seven public parking facilities. The City will need additional time to program capital funds and contract for the design and installation of the electric vehicle charging stations in our remaining City public parking lots. While the City is committed to providing electric vehicle charging stations in our public parking facilities, we have strong concerns with the proposed fines.”
- Ulupono Initiative – Shared support of the bill and suggestions to to enhance its effectiveness (scaling based on property size, enforcement, and exemptions).
We live 13 miles north of Hilo and have owned a two seat Think! electric car for nearly 3 years. The Think had new range of 100 miles but even then we could not use it for our monthly trips to Kona because of the lack of range, no chargers that I know of in Waimea and only level 2 chargers in Kailua that I know of. Like most electric car owners on Hawaii we charge mainly at home from a grid tied solar electric house. Last fall we looked at the new offerings and found they still lacked range but some now accept fast charge but I still don’t know of any fast chargers on the Island so we ordered a Volt. MY VOLT ORDERING EXPERIENCE – SO FAR. Because both our present vehicles are having some issues but still are drivable, we decided to order a 2016 Volt back in November. We reasoned that its 53 mile electric range would cover my wife’s work commute and it’s “range extender” engine would cover the nearly 200 mile trip that we take about once a month to and from Kona/Kailua. The salesman warned us that it would take 60 to 90 days but he didn’t want a down payment until it was actually on the production line. At that time our state, Hawaii, was not on the list of states new Volts were being shipped to but was scheduled to be added January 1. On January 3 I got a call from the salesman saying that our order had been “accepted” by Chey but we still don’t have a production date. A couple weeks later I stopped by the dealer and asked what’s up. Our salesman informed me that 2016 Volts were no longer being made but that our order had been moved to the 2017 model which is already in production but they still don’t want any money because they have no idea when they will be delivered. A few days later I was informed to expect delivery late March or early April. When our Volt arrives we will have an electric car that we can use as a gas car one day a month and no need to lobby for public chargers which will be obsolete soon due to future longer range.
Thanks for sharing, Richard. Congratulations on the Volt. It does appear that this configuration (decent mileage for in-town use; plus the generator for extended for longer commutes). Would love to see your ’16 Volt at our next event.
Regarding charging infrastructure need being diminished… Not everyone will be happy with PHEV due to the oil independence, maintenance, and driving experience expectations. Additionally, even with long range, there can still be some level of anxiety for long-range EVs. (We have a Model S and experience this when driving to the other side of the island.) That said, with affordable, 200+ mile pure EVs coming, the need may be mitigated. At that point, property owners, businesses, perhaps even gas stations may offer charging as a competitive advantage or even as part of their income stream.