Mauna Kea Beach Resort
By Chelsea Jensen
Stephens Media
In West Hawaii and need a free charge to keep that electric vehicle rolling? You’re in luck — for now.
Better Place, a global company specializing in battery charging networks, on Tuesday flipped the switch to electrify more than a half-dozen free vehicle charging points in West Hawaii, said Brian Goldstein, Better Place director.
“In order for electric vehicles to become a significant part of Hawaii Island’s transportation, charging stations are going to be critical,” said Goldstein, speaking from Honolulu. “This network is another step toward making sustainable transportation a reality in Hawaii and moves us toward achieving the state’s goal to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels by at least 70 percent by 2030.”
The charging stations, limited to plug-in cars, are located at hot spots spanning from Kona Commons Shopping Center to South Kohala’s Mauna Kea Beach Resort. Six are working and a seventh, located at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, will be operational next week, Goldstein said.
The company is talking with Waimea, Hilo and Ka’u property owners to install additional stations, he said.
“The Big Island really is a very special place, and it’s unique in the state that it has really long driving distances, and, while our first charging stations are all on the west side, we’re very interested to locate charging stations in various strategic parts of the island,” he said, noting an electric vehicle probably couldn’t travel from Kona to Hilo on one charge.
Better Place will offer the free four-hour charging through Dec. 31, he said. Beginning Jan. 1, 2013, drivers can purchase a membership.
“We’re going to use 2012 as an opportunity to gather information about how people use it and the value they derive from it,” Goldstein said. “We’ll then use that (information) to help develop pricing and plans that as many people as possible will find affordable.”
To use the charging network, drivers must sign up for a free membership and card at betterplace.com/hawaii. The website also provides members with an interactive map of the charging locations.
Where are they?
Kona Commons Shopping Center
West Hawaii Civic Center
Kona International Airport’s National Car Rental
Four Seasons Resort Hualalai
Hilton Waikoloa Village
Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel
Mauna Kea Beach Resort