Customers admiring the Tesla Model 3 electric car at the Tesla store in Honolulu, Hawaii
Alex Tai | SOPA Photos | Rocket Lite | Getty Images
American consumers have been transitioning to all-electric vehicles more slowly than many expected — but Hawaii is a growing leader in electric vehicle adoption.
This year, the tropical island nation ranks fifth in overall EV adoption at 11.9% of new retail vehicles sold during February, according to JD Power.
Hawaii also ranks third — behind only California (46.1) and Washington (37) — in J.D. Power's “EV Adoption Score,” which is weighted based on market, consumer preference and EV availability, among other conditions, with a degree of 33.8.
“We measure adoption relative to availability, which means shoppers need to have electric vehicles that meet their needs … before they can even consider adopting them,” said Elizabeth Creer, vice president of JD Power's electric vehicle practice. “In California, the amount of electric vehicles is much higher than in Hawaii. But when consumers are given a viable choice, 33% choose to purchase an electric vehicle.”
Hawaii is also the first state to adopt electric vehicles that has not approved the California Air Resources Board's zero-emission vehicle program, according to J.D. Power. The rules promote electric vehicles and include stricter vehicle emissions and miles-per-gallon standards for conventional vehicles in places that have adopted the measure, including the other five largest states: California, Washington, Oregon and Colorado.
Why Hawaii?
What is happening in Hawaii that is causing more consumers to choose electric vehicles? It's a combination of things, but mainly high fuel costs, the availability of renewable energy for shipping and culture, according to Evan Drury, director of insights at automotive research firm Edmunds, who lives in Waikiki on the Hawaiian island of Oahu.
“There's a greater sense of responsibility for managing the land than in most mainland states. If you look up the word 'aina' in the Hawaiian language, you'll see what I mean, a lot of pride in the land,” he said.
Drury also said the popularity of hybrid models in the state (up 19% in 2023) has helped the shift to electric vehicles, and concerns about road trips — a hurdle for some buyers in the U.S. — aren't really an issue. In Hawaii.
“We're on an island. No one really worries about road trips unless they live on the Big Island,” he said. (For reference, the “Hawaiian Belt” around the Big Island, or Hawaiian Island, is only about 260 miles long.)
Gasoline prices also play a role, as do other states, such as California. The average price of a gallon of gas in Hawaii is about $4.72, according to AAA. This is the highest in the United States excluding California and $1.10 higher than the national average of $3.62 per gallon.
JD Power reports that the best-selling electric vehicles in the state are Tesla Model Y, Tesla Model 3 and stronghold F-150 Lightning.
“I'm really happy. I love the car. I don't like buying gas,” said Scott Sigman, a 2021 Tesla Model 3 owner who has lived on Hawaii's Big Island since moving from California in 2020.
Aloha Kea Leeward in Waipahu, Hawaii
Aloha kia
Customer interest in electric vehicles continues to grow but the vehicles still represent only about 2% of store sales, said Russell Wong, regional vice president of Aloha Kia's seven stores in Hawaii.
“Even though it represents a large percentage of our current sales compared to other merchants or other markets, it is still a very small percentage,” he said. “We see that continuing to go up.”
Wong said there is a lot of interest in the new Kia EV9 SUV that just arrived at dealerships. The current best-selling electric vehicle at Kia dealerships is the Niro, which is also Kia's least expensive electric vehicle, and Aloha Kia has priced it starting at around $36,000.
Electric vehicle concerns
Although Hawaii is adopting electric vehicles more than some of its counterparts, it still faces many of the same issues as the United States with EV adoption, including a lack of charging infrastructure, affordability, and a scarcity of vehicle options.
A Gallup poll released Monday found that less than half of U.S. adults, 44%, say they are either “seriously considering or would consider” purchasing an electric vehicle, down from 55% in 2023. The share has increased Who do not intend to buy an electric car. From 41% to 48%.
Sigman, who lives on the slope of a volcano, said he has never had problems charging, as he does at home, but the estimated range of his Model 3 could be less than expected due to the state's mountainous terrain.
“The one thing I noticed is that you don't pay much attention to the estimated range,” he said. “You won't get the same amount if you do a lot of hard driving.” a
The average cost to a consumer who purchases an electric vehicle from a franchised dealer (excluding Tesla, Rivian And other direct-to-consumer brands ) in Hawaii this year more than $ 62,600, according to Edmunds. That's down from more than $68,500 last year and about $12,700 below the average car price in Hawaii.
High prices are a national and Hawaiian trend. High-income Americans across the country are the subgroup most likely to own an electric vehicle, with 14% owning one, compared to 6% last year, according to a Gallup report.
“We have reached the extremes of adoption,” Drury said. “For those who are in a position to benefit from the electric vehicle, it works, and it sells. As for those who cannot, it will not work, for a very long time. Overcoming infrastructure hurdles and high costs of living is not easy.” “Something that can be taken care of overnight or even within a few years.”
