Hawaii will be test market for electric vehicles

"Range anxiety" — the fear of being stranded in your electric vehicle with no charging station in sight — has been one of the biggest challenges for electric vehicle manufacturers. But in Hawaii, you can drive only so far.

Limited driving distances, along with the state’s high gas prices, ideal climate and commitment on the part of the state and utility companies to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles, has made Hawaii an attractive market for both electric vehicles and their corresponding charging stations.

This look at electric vehicles and their role in Hawaii’s push for energy independence is the fifth in an occasional series of stories analyzing the status of the state’s alternative-energy options, where the best opportunities lie and what’s needed to overcome obstacles.

With ground transportation comprising about one-third of the state’s energy needs, the rollout of electric vehicles by major auto manufacturers is expected to augment what clean-energy advocates hope will be the beginning of a major trend in auto sales.

Read more in the Pacific Business News.