Hawaii to convert lightduty vehicles to EV

Hawaii must convert all state-owned light-duty vehicles to full electric by 2035 under newly passed legislation, state lawmakers said.

Democratic state Representative Nicole Lowen authored the bill, saying it was one of her legislative priorities this year, the Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported on Sunday.

The bill, passed this year, requires the state to transition its entire light-duty vehicle fleet to zero-emission vehicles by the end of 2035, with passenger cars transitioning by 2030.

There are about 3,200 vehicles in the state’s light-duty vehicle fleet, according to the state’s energy office. About 300 are active on the Big Island.

State agencies will operate under a procurement policy under the bill to prioritise zero-emission or hybrid vehicles when purchasing new vehicles, although some vehicles will be exempt, Lowen said.

Hawaii intends to transition entirely to renewable energy by 2045.