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Better Place to Bring Electric Car Network to Hawaii

Better Place recently unveiled a plan to bring an electric-car network to Hawaii, creating a model for the adoption of electric cars in the U.S. According to the company, the move - only the second of its kind announced in the nation - will help fuel Hawaii's drive to lead the nation in renewable energy use, create jobs locally, while also helping to secure our energy future.

Better Place plans to begin permitting for the network within the next year and begin introducing vehicles within 18 months, with mass-market availability of electric cars in 2012. Hawaii joins Israel, Denmark, Australia and California since Better Place was founded in October 2007, committed to deploying the world's first electric car networks.

Hawaii spends up to $7 billion a year on oil imports and drivers pay some of the highest gasoline prices in the nation -- accounting for nearly 20 percent of the state's Green House Gases (GHG). Building the infrastructure for widespread adoption of electric vehicles will not only stimulate the local economy and reduce carbon emissions, but also provide a more affordable transportation option to Hawaii's drivers.

Hawaiian Electric Companies and Better Place Hawaii also signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on the infrastructure and energy needs to power Better Place's unique network of public charging spots and battery swapping stations with renewable energy. The partnership capitalizes on Better Place's business model and Hawaii's abundant renewable energy resources to deliver the large-scale deployment of electrical vehicles throughout the state.

The arrival of Better Place Hawaii furthers the progress of the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative (HCEI) signed in January - with the goal to meet the state's energy needs from 70% clean energy by 2030, as well as fostering economic growth and building the workforce of the future.