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Hawaii Electric Vehicle Rebates, Tax Credits and EV Incentives
With exciting rebates and incentives available to support EV charging and adoption, now is the perfect time to make the switch to an electric vehicle in Hawaii.
Hawaii EV Rebates
Hawaii does not currently offer a state-level EV rebate.
Hawaii EV Tax Credits
Hawaii does not have a state-wide EV tax credit, but residents may qualify for federal EV tax credits like the $7,500 clean vehicle tax credit for new vehicles, or the $4,000 used clean vehicle tax credit. Income restrictions as well as battery component and critical mineral restrictions may apply. Be sure to speak to a qualified CPA or tax professional to check your eligibility.
Additionally, the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit provides a federal tax credit up to $1,000 to offset costs related to installing an EV charger at home. Businesses can claim EV charger tax credits worth up to $100,000.
To ensure a safe, efficient, and code-compliant installation, it’s essential to work with a qualified EV charger installer.
A trusted professional can assess your home’s electrical capacity, and recommend the right charger based on the charger amperage you actually need, in addition to handling any necessary upgrades in your home for a seamless integration.
Hawaii EV Charger Rebates
Charging your EV at home is both affordable and convenient. To achieve the best charging speed with your residential electrical infrastructure, it is essential to install a Level 2 EV charger with the help of a qualified EV charger installation professional.
Three utility providers in Hawaii offer EV charger rebates:
Hawaii Energy EV Charger Rebates
Hawaii Energy‘s program helps make EV charging more accessible and affordable by supporting the installation of Level 2 and DC Fast chargers with generous rebates and savings for businesses.
Rebate amounts start at $2,000 for installing a new single-port Level 2 charging station, with savings of up to $4,500 on multi-port Level 2 EV charging stations. DC Fast charging projects are eligible for rebates of up to $35,000.
Additional funding is available for retrofit projects, including up to $1,300 for Level 2 EV chargers and up to $28,000 for DC Fast chargers.
Hawaiian Electric EV Charger Rebates
Hawaiian Electric provides robust incentives for commercial EV charging through its Charge Up Commercial and eBus Pilot programs.
The utility’s Charge Up Commercial program fully covers the entire installation cost for installing EV charging stations at eligible businesses, multifamily properties, office buildings, and fleet depots.
Under the utility’s eBus Pilot program, Hawaiian Electric further supports electrification by funding the cost and installation of charging equipment for bus operators.
Kaua’i Island Utility Cooperative EV Charger Rebates
KIUC residential members can benefit from a bill credit of up to $500 for installing a Level 2 home EV charger.
Businesses powered by KIUC can take advantage of the utility’s commercial EV charger rebate program and receive up to $5,000 for projects under $45,000 and up to $10,000 for larger installations exceeding $45,000.
EV Charging Rates in Hawaii
Enrolling in time-of-use (TOU) rates allow EV drivers to take advantage of lower rates for charging when the demand for electricity is lower. For EV owners who can adjust their charging schedule to align with discounted rates, this can lead to significant savings and help alleviate pressure on the grid.
Hawaiian Electric TOU Rates
Through its Shift and Save Pilot program, Hawaiian Electric offers tiered time-of-use rates to help customers save money by optimizing their charging costs.
The program has three tiers, including a daytime rate from 9 am to 5 pm, an evening peak rate from 5 pm to 9 pm, and an overnight rate from 9 pm to 9 am. Pricing varies from one island to another.
For example, in Hawaii you’ll pay $0.20 per kWh during the daytime. Overnight, your rate will increase to $0.41 per kWh, and then during the evening peak, you’ll pay $0.62 per kWh.
On Oahu, you’ll pay $0.17 per kWh during the daytime, $0.34 per kWh overnight, and $0.53 during the evening peak.
If you’re a Maui resident, you’ll pay $0.19 per kWh during the daytime, $0.39 per kWh for charging your EV overnight, and $0.59 per kWh during the evening peak.
On the island of Lanai, you’ll pay $0.21 per kWh during the daytime, $0.43 per kWh during the overnight time, and a rate of $0.65 per kWh during the evening peak.
On Molokai, your time-of-use rate will be $0.21 per kWh during the daytime. You’ll pay $0.43 per kWh to charge your EV overnight and $0.65 per kWh during the evening peak.
Public EV Charging Stations in Hawaii
How Many Public EV Charging Stations Are in Hawaii?
As of February 2025, Hawaii has more than 350 public charging stations including over 300 Level 2 and 43 DC Fast stations. There are 826 public EV charging ports, 3 Tesla Supercharger stations and 30 Tesla Supercharger ports in Hawaii.
How Much Do Public EV Charging Stations Cost in Hawaii?
Pricing varies for public EV charging in Hawaii depending on several different factors.
If you use one of the Level 3 chargers operated by Hawaiian Electric, your EV charging rate will change based on your location and time of day.
For instance, charging between 9 am and 5 pm on an Oahu location would cost you $0.49 per kWh, while charging between 10 pm and 9 am at one of the Maui locations would cost $0.38 per kWh.
Be sure to read our article discussing the Cost of Charging an EV at Home vs. Public Charging.
Are There Free EV Charging Stations in Hawaii?
Yes, some hotels and other hospitality businesses offer free EV charging as a perk, but the Honolulu area offers the highest concentration of charging stations, making it the most convenient spot for EV drivers.
Other major cities, such as Hilo, Kailua-Kona, and Kapolei, also have a growing number of charging options, ensuring accessibility across the islands.
Where Are Public EV Charging Stations Located in Hawaii?
Public EV charging stations are readily available throughout the state, but finding charging options is often easier in larger cities such as Hilo, Kailua-Kona, and Kapolei.
Visit the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center Map of EV Charging Station Locations in Hawaii, which can be sorted and filtered based on public access, charger type (Level 1, Level 2, DC Fast), and connector type (NACS, J1772, CCS, CHAdeMO).
Home Electrification Incentives in Hawaii
Combining EV ownership with other electrification projects, such as upgrading your home with solar panels & battery storage, or investing in a heat pump, will help you save even more while reducing your environmental impact.
You may qualify for home electrification incentives through your local electricity provider in addition to the U.S. federal government. Scroll down to read tax credit and incentive details for specific home electrification technologies.
Battery Storage
The 25D Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit provides a 30% federal tax credit on the cost of new battery storage systems size 3kWh and larger.
Electrical Panels
The 25C Energy Efficient Home Improvement Tax Credit provides a federal tax credit for electrical panel upgrades needed to complete electrification projects like heat pumps and heat pump water heaters (up to 30% of project costs, capped at $600). The 25C tax credit can be used by renters, and homeowners making upgrades to their primary or secondary home.
Qualifying electrical panels must meet the standards of the National Electric Code (NEC) and have a capacity of 200 Amps or more. This means that your new/upgraded panel must be able to serve a load of at least 200 Amps, but you don’t need 200 Amps of incoming utility service. Smart panels may qualify if they allow you to serve a load of 200 Amps.
If you’re claiming 25D for a residential solar or battery storage project and the installation required you to upgrade your main panel, you may be able to apply 25D to electrical panel costs as well.
Heat Pumps & Heat Pump Water Heaters
The 25C Energy Efficient Home Improvement Tax Credit also applies to heat pumps and heat pump water heaters. A 30% federal tax credit is available (capped at $2,000 dollars). Eligible technologies must meet certain energy efficiency requirements.
Solar Panels
The 25D Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit also provides a 30% federal tax credit on the cost of photovoltaic (PV) solar panel systems.
Why Qmerit is the #1 EV Charger Installer in Hawaii
Between the various incentives offered by utilities in the state and the fast-growing network of public EV chargers, there has never been a better time to drive electric in Hawaii.
If you’re interested in exploring your at-home EV charging options or interested in taking advantage of commercial EV charging benefits to install chargers at your business, Qmerit can help.
As North America’s most trusted and largest network of certified EV charger installers, Qmerit is recommended by automakers, EV charger manufacturers, utilities, businesses, and homeowners alike. Rated #1 in customer satisfaction, our expert network has installed over 450,000 EV charging stations across the U.S. and Canada.
Discover how Qmerit is paving the way forward for residential EV charger installation and whole-home electrification solutions. Contact us today to find out how easy home electrification can be!