The Maui News

A new interactive web tool launched by Hawaiian Electric seeks customer input on where electric vehicle charging stations are needed in their communities.

Charge Up Hawaii features a short survey and an interactive map where participants can drop a pin to suggest a location for a future EV charging station. The web tool also includes an overview of efforts underway to electrify transportation in Hawaii and links to informative videos, articles and websites. Visitors to the site who complete the survey will be eligible to participate in a $100 gift card raffle.

“This web tool is a great opportunity for us to hear from our customers as we work to strategically locate EV chargers to maximize their benefit,” Aki Marceau, director of electrification of transportation at Hawaiian Electric, said in a news release Tuesday. “As more and more drivers make the switch to electric vehicles, we need to ensure there are sufficient EV charging solutions to support that growth.”

Information gathered through the new web tool and other sources will help gauge community desire for EV charging as Hawaiian Electric looks to expand its public charging network. The company currently owns and operates 25 fast chargers across five islands that were deployed as part of a public charging infrastructure pilot program. It hopes to eventually make the program permanent and add more chargers across the state.

The number of electric passenger vehicles in Hawaii has been steadily increasing, with more than 15,000 currently registered statewide, according to Hawaiian Electric, which estimates that in 2030 more than 3,600 public charging stations will be needed at workplaces, shopping centers, parks and multiunit dwellings.

For more information, visit chargeuphi.com.