Electric vehicle owners flying out of Honolulu have reason to rejoice, as the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT) has just amped up the convenience factor at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL). In a move to juice up support for sustainable transportation, HDOT unveiled 20 new EV charging stations. Spread out on the ground floor of the International Parking Structure, these stations are equipped with OpConnect Level 2 chargers, ready to serve the eco-conscious traveler.
Available round-the-clock, these chargers don't play favorites; they're accessible to drivers on a first-come-first-served basis, as long as your EV bears the standard J1772 connector. Charging your chariot will cost you $0.44 per kWh during daylight hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and a nocturnal rate of $0.57 per kWh takes over from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m. However, don't forget to leave your electric ride plugged in while it chills in one of the designated stalls, according to a statement made by the HDOT.
Payment for the juice is as high-tech as the cars getting charged. A quick scan of a QR code displayed at the stations will whisk you away to the OpConnect mobile app where you can pay with ease. And yes, the standard airport parking rates do apply, so don’t be caught off guard by that additional fee.
These chargers are more than just a plug-and-play solution for travelers. They stand testament to HDOT's commitment to rolling out EV infrastructure, giving life to Hawai‘i's vision of a sustainable transportation future. The installation didn't come cheap, tallying up to $539,000, but the investment is seen as a solid step towards a greener, electric-powered horizon. "The new charging stations offer EV drivers a convenient and reliable charging option while at the airport,” said Hawai‘i Department of Transportation Director Ed Sniffen, who frequently boasts about Hawai‘i's rank among the upper echelons for electric vehicle adoption. “It’s important that we continue to invest in charging infrastructure that supports the electrification of our transportation system," he told HDOT in an earlier interview.
