Electric Cars in Hawaii Still Pay Equivalent of $3.69 per Gallon

According to a report released by the U.S. Department of Energy, Hawaii drivers who own an electric car may not be getting the massive savings that they were hoping for.  While the national average that electric car drivers spend for a "gallon of gas" equivalent is just $1.14, Hawaii drivers are spending $3.69 per gallon equivalency.  This is due to the extremely high cost of electricity needed to "fuel" these electric cars in Hawaii.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration stated that in April 2013, Hawaii residents paid an average of 37 cents per kilowatt-hour for electricity.  Nationally, the average for that same month was 12 cents per kilowatt-hour.  To encourage the use of electrical cars in Hawaii where electricity is so expensive, many shopping centers and offices are now offering free charging stations.  Other groups are encouraging the installation of a solar system at home to power your electric car with the sun.

The federal government has created a new website called eGallon at energy.gov/eGallon which helps drivers calculate the actual cost of operating their electric vehicles.  U.S. Energy Secretary. Ernest Moniz, stated, "Consumers can see gasoline prices posted at the corner gas station but are left in the dark on the cost of fueling an electric vehicle.  The eGallon will bring greater transparency to vehicle operating costs, and help drivers figure out how much they might save on fuel by choosing an electric vehicle. It also shows the low and steady price of fueling with electricity. Not only can electric vehicles save consumers on fuel and reduce our dependence on oil, they also represent an opportunity for America to lead in a growing, global manufacturing industry."

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 6-22-2013, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, REALTOR®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
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