The State of Hawai'i is extending its successful EV Ready Rebate Program with the new deadline for rebates on new electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and chargers being March 31, 2012. Funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis, and will run through the deadline or while funds are available, whichever comes first. The State anticipates an increase in consumer demand for new electric vehicles this year.

Hawai'i residents have received an extension on the rebates for electric vehicles and chargers.

From early January 2011 to mid-January of this year, 528 rebates have been approved for 318 electric vehicles and 210 chargers, with $153,999 remaining in funding as of January 23. An additional flush of funds, $150,000, increases the available total to $303,999. Rebate forms are available on the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism's (DBEDT) State Energy Office website.

Hawai'i residents can apply for State rebates of up to $4,500 on purchases of electric vehicles and up to $500 for electric vehicle chargers through the Hawai'i Electric Vehicle (EV) Ready Program. In addition to the State EV rebates, federal tax incentives of up to $7,500 are also available for highway-capable vehicles (the Qualified Plug-in Electric Drive Motor Vehicle credit, which applies to at least 200,000 units per auto manufacturer before it phases out). This allows for the potential of up to $12,500 in rebates and tax credits for an individual.

The EV Ready Program is funded by Federal stimulus funds administered by DBEDT. By April 2012, approximately 210 charging stations, at roughly 140 sites across all counties, will be installed as part of the EV Ready Grant Program. Some chargers will have the capacity to charge more than one vehicle at a time. A listing of publicly available EV charging stations in Hawai'i can be found on the Hawai'i Charging Station Database available on DBEDT's State Energy Office website. DBEDT's Hawai'i Electric Vehicle EV Ready Program has also provided $2.6 million in grants for the systematic installation of electric vehicle chargers across the State; public education and outreach including an EV Ready Guidebook; introduction of EVs to rental car and county fleets; car-sharing services within the hospitality industry; and an online permitting system for charger installations at single-family residences on O'ahu.

http://energy.hawaii.gov/programs/transportation-on-the-move/ev-ready-program