Electric Garage Talk: EV Skeptic to Enthusiast
When U.S. Army veteran Ivan Rudenko landed in Hawaii in 2016, he did not expect his journey from turbocharged Mercedes‑Benz enthusiast to electric vehicle (EV) evangelist would reshape both his garage and his businesses. A native of Ukraine’s Crimea region, Ivan’s path to EV ownership was driven by a combination of financial practicality, a desire to avoid the hassles of gas stations, and the impressive performance of electric cars.
Before switching to EVs, Ivan was a self-proclaimed “anti-electrical vehicle guy,” preferring the power and sound of muscle engines. His perspective shifted quickly after facing a hefty $12,000-$15,000 transmission repair bill for his Mercedes, which was just out of warranty. This experience, coupled with the high monthly gas costs of $500-$600, made him reconsider his transportation choices.
Discovering the EV Advantage
Ivan’s first taste of EV life came courtesy of his wife, Valerie, who was looking for a new car at BMW of Honolulu. She fell in love with the smooth, instantaneous acceleration of a BMW i5. Though he initially hesitated, Ivan noted that the numbers and everyday conveniences won him over.
“My wife’s heavy scrutiny over our family budget means every cent counts. When our monthly electric bill jumped only $75–$85, instead of the hundreds we spent on gas, I was convinced.”
Gone was waiting in the long Costco fuel lines and surprise car maintenance bills. Each morning, Ivan’s family would wake up to a fully charged car with over 350 miles of range, ready “for whatever mission” the day held. Six months after his wife’s positive experience, Ivan decided to purchase his own EV, a BMW i7, which he also uses for work. Ivan’s driving distances vary considerably, and he does not keep track — however, he has been able to travel all around Oʻahu daily, without any range anxiety.
Charging at Home: Simplicity and Scale
Both of Ivan’s home EVs charge on a single 240-volt Level 2 charger, installed free by his BMW dealer during purchase. While his family plugs in every other night, Ivan stresses that EV ownership isn’t just about the car, it’s about prepping your property. In fact, Ivan has not used public chargers in Hawaiʻi, relying almost exclusively on his home setup or workplace charger. He suggests that car dealerships should ensure buyers have a proper charging solution at home (if available) when selling an EV.
Despite the convenience of home charging, Ivan points out a significant barrier to EV adoption in Hawaiʻi: homeowner associations (HOAs). Due to certain HOA restrictions on installing solar panels, Ivan believes this is a negative impact for residents to incentivize EV ownership. Since charging in the evening is typically a higher cost than during the day, if HOAs streamlined rooftop solar approvals, EVs would be more appealing and daytime solar power could cut even more charging costs. He emphasizes that if every house with an EV had a charger, the need for public charging infrastructure would significantly decrease.
Public Charging vs. Home Charging: From Collective Challenges to Personal Reliability
Despite Hawaii’s growing public charging network, Ivan rarely leaves home without a full battery. In over a year of local driving he’s never used a public charger, except once when he rented an EV on the mainland. For him, reliable home charging suffices, but he recognizes this luxury won’t fit every lifestyle.
“I worried once when I left my car at the airport for ten days at 35% charge. When I returned, it still had enough range to get home, but not everyone lives minutes from reliable home charging.”
He suggests that the government offers better charger installation subsidies to ensure drivers aren’t stranded, similar to what’s offered for solar projects. Until the end of December 2025, the government offered solar panel subsidies including the Federal Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit which offered 30% tax credit on system costs, and the state-level Renewable Energy Technologies Income Tax Credit which provides 35% tax credit capped at $5,000. If the government, federal or state, offered home charger installation subsidies for EV drivers, similar to the federal tax credit that ended in September 2025 for purchasing an EV, it will give a greater incentive for individuals to make the switch with having reliable home charging.
Fleet Electrification: The Human Factor
Ivan operates multiple businesses involved in construction and auto repair. In these areas, he has also leaned into electrification. Ivan has two electric service vans operating in California, and a Ford F150 Lightning serving his Oʻahu fleet. Ivan’s construction company, Top Level Construction, often works on remodeling projects where customers are purchasing or already own EVs. While he doesn’t personally hold an electrical license, his subcontractors frequently assist with charger installations as part of larger renovation projects.
However, Ivan notes that the human factor can be a hurdle for electrifying his own fleet. He acknowledges that electrifying fleet vehicles presents a different set of challenges compared to personal EVs, primarily due to employee discipline in charging and vehicle care.
“Buying an EV for yourself comes with discipline. But handing one to an employee? You lose control — they might forget to charge it which will hinder operations.”
Incentives, Awareness, and the Road Ahead
Ivan took advantage of the previously offered federal tax credits on his BMW i7 which qualified under size and weight limits, saving him significantly.
Ivan also shared his perspective on Hawaiian Electric’s public image, suggesting that the company could do more to promote its programs and initiatives related to vehicle electrification. He believes that increased content and public awareness campaigns about available programs would greatly benefit the community. In closing, he calls on Hawaiian Electric and local government to boost storytelling: showcasing “real drivers, real savings, and real benefits of EVs paired with renewables”.
“I’d like to see more of these programs — and better communication about them. If people only know HECO for past outages or wildfires, they’ll miss the opportunities to save money and support the grid.”
Key Takeaways from Ivan Rudenko
- Total Cost of Ownership Wins: Lower fuel and maintenance bills turned a skeptic into an EV advocate.
- Home Charging Is Vital: A single Level‑2 charger is more than enough to keep daily drivers happy.
- Fleet EVs Need Management: Employee education and habits can make or break commercial electrification.
- Tell More Stories: Better public outreach is vital to broaden awareness and trust.
As Hawaii accelerates toward a cleaner transportation future, voices like Ivan’s show how EVs aren’t just vehicles, they support smarter homes, stronger businesses, and a greener island lifestyle.
Learn more about at-home charging and other EV resources.
About the Author: Jennifer Ecklund
