HECO mulls charging stations for electric buses

Hawaiian Electric is proposing a $4.25 million project to set up electric equipment and wiring to support eBus charging at about 10 sites across Oahu, Maui and Hawaii islands.

The company is asking the state Public Utilities Commission to greenlight the eBus Make-Ready Infrastructure Project, which would allow Hawaiian Electric to install, own and maintain the equipment and wiring for eBus charging.

A bus fleet operator would install, own and maintain chargers and would pay for electricity used.

By switching to eBuses in public, private and school bus fleets, the state would cut its carbon footprint for transportation, reduce imports of oil and help reach its 100 percent clean energy goal by 2045, the company said.

“Electric buses will allow everyone to enjoy the clean and quiet perks of an electric vehicle, even those who choose not to own a car,” Aki Marceau, company director of electrification of transportation, said in a news release Monday. “Electrifying our bus fleets will also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions for ground transportation, which contributes to over 50 percent of emissions statewide.”

The release said if the pilot project is approved, the company will spend about $4.25 million across the three islands to be recovered through the Renewable Energy Infrastructure Cost Recovery Provision, created to facilitate expansion of renewable energy generation and use.