Hawaii to be 1st state with electric car stations

[ScubaGypsy]

HONOLULU – Hawaii has unveiled plans to be first in the nation to roll out electric car stations statewide — a move the governor hailed as a major step toward weaning the islands off oil.

For the full story, click here.

It now seems that Hawaii is among the leaders in welcoming alternative technologies as they are also the first state to mandate solar hot waters in all new homes.

[PeakOilGarage]

Many Americans already have "electric car stations". I like to call mine "my garage". It has an outlet on the wall.

[ScubaGypsy]

Originally Posted by PeakOilGarage

Many Americans already have "electric car stations". I like to call mine "my garage". It has an outlet on the wall.

This should provide the bulk of charging needs but the implementation of opportunity charging stations will go a long way in implementing the electric car technologies.

As an aside, I have watched from my office the complete rebuild of a sizeable parking lot. They tore out all of the old pavement, added base and put down new pavement. I can't help but think of what a lost opportunity to add electric charging stations and encourage the employees to utilize electric car technology. It makes even more sense to use electric vehicles here in that Newport is a town on Aquidneck Island where the two main roads have speed limits of 35 and 45 mph.

[MikeSF]

I, as well as others have been saying the key to electric cars is "gas stations" which simply swap out used batteries for freshly charged ones. Granted you need a technician that isn't going to be stupid enough to short the batteries accidently, and there needs to be some sort of standardization in battery compartment sizes but I think it's possible. Besides it'd be better than seeing all the scooters the locals drive around on and think themselves kings of the road

[Godiva]

Yeah, I read this.

I blame Arnold. California should have been FIRST.

Well, Better Place will be setting the standard now and the cars that will be built will follow it.

Hopefully this will speed things along EV-wise.

[darelldd]

What?! There are about public 2,500 chargers in CA today. And of course many more private ones (everybody who owns an EV - in general - has a charger at home).

Not sure I understand how Hawaii is the first. But hey - all the power to the wonderful island state.

[PeakOilGarage]

Originally Posted by ScubaGypsy

This should provide the bulk of charging needs but the implementation of opportunity charging stations will go a long way in implementing the electric car technologies.

I think many people would be surprised at just how common regular electric outlets are in parking garages. I have found outlets very often on lamp posts, in parking lots, on the exterior walls of many buildings, etc.

Just about the only thing needed is a nice sign that says, "EV Parking Only". $20 for a neat sign and you have an instant "electric car station".
Isn't this much easier and cheaper than building the "Hydrogen Highway"?

[zenMachine]

The Fry's in my town also has two parking spots reserved for "Electric Vehicles Only". I've seen Priuses parked there, and I've parked there myself.

But I've also seen regular cars parked there as well. When I asked the manager about this, he said the sign doesn't mean anything and in practice anybody could park there. The parking lot design was carried over from the Fry's in California, so they just kept the sign but really don't enforce it.

Besides, there ain't no EVs in North Texas nohow. Ya'll hear?

[Godiva]

Originally Posted by PeakOilGarage

I think many people would be surprised at just how common regular electric outlets are in parking garages. I have found outlets very often on lamp posts, in parking lots, on the exterior walls of many buildings, etc.

Just about the only thing needed is a nice sign that says, "EV Parking Only". $20 for a neat sign and you have an instant "electric car station".
Isn't this much easier and cheaper than building the "Hydrogen Highway"?

Yes, it is. And seeing those signs on prime parking spots would go a long way to putting the idea of owning an EV into a lot of people's heads.

I think there should be "hybrid only" signs for parking spots as well. Not just for those with HOV stickers but for TRUE hybrids.

How hard could it be to convince cities to do this? It's added revenue if you ticket all of the cars that illegally park there.

[darelldd]

Originally Posted by Godiva

I think there should be "hybrid only" signs for parking spots as well. Not just for those with HOV stickers but for TRUE hybrids.

We have those parking spaces here. Pictures eventually...