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Call: (808) 543-GoEV (4638)
Email: GoEV@hawaiianelectric.com
Write to:
Hawaiian Electric, GoEV
CP-10 SR
P.O. Box 2750
Honolulu, Hawaii 96840-001
Residential Single-Family Dwelling
For those who are able, we encourage electric vehicle (EV) owners to take advantage of the increased convenience and the lower cost of at-home charging. The following is a step-by-step guide to charging at home.
Step 1: Plan ahead
Before purchasing an EV, explore your charging options for a seamless transition to driving electric. By planning ahead, you will have a better idea of the cost and effort needed to set up your home for EV charging and you will be able to make informed choices about how, where, and how often you will need to charge.
Before purchasing an EV:
- Think about your driving habits. How often and how quickly will you need to charge your vehicle?
- Consult with a licensed and qualified electrician or EV charging vendor to understand whether your home’s electrical infrastructure will need any upgrades, and what a home EV charging station might cost.
- Visit Plugshare.com to check for nearby public charging stations.
- Ask your employer whether they offer any workplace charging programs.
Step 2: Select your preferred type of charging
Once you have an idea of how much and how quickly you will need to charge, consider which type of charging is right for you.
Many drivers can rely on Level 1 charging for most of their driving needs, with an occasional trip to a nearby public fast charger after a longer drive. Hawaiian Electric encourages you to save money by installing the most appropriate level of charging for your regular needs, rather than choosing higher powered charging for that occasional situation.
| Level 1 Charging | Level 2 Charging |
|---|---|
| Charging cord is provided with most EVs | Hard-wired, or plugs into a 240 volt outlet (usually NEMA 14-50 "dryer-style" outlet) |
| Plugs into a standard grounded 120 volt home wall outlet | May require support from a qualified electrician for home installation |
| 5 miles of range per hour of charging | 12-25 miles of range per hour of charging |
| Great for shorter commutes and plug-in hybrid vehicles | Better for longer commutes and those who drive a lot |
| Usually low to no cost for installation | May be higher cost and require more time for planning, permitting, and installation |
When deciding your preferred charging approach, consider the following factors:
- Speed of charging. How many miles do you drive per day? Will a Level 1 charger be sufficient to top up your battery overnight?
- Cost. How much are you willing to spend on a charging station and its installation?
- Your home’s electrical infrastructure. Does your existing service panel have enough capacity to accommodate a Level 2 charging station? Are your existing outlets grounded?
For more on charging options, refer to our EV Basics page, or consult with a vendor specializing in EV charging station installation.
Step 3: Consult a licensed electrician
Level 1 Charging
You can usually plug a Level 1 charger into a standard grounded home outlet without upgrading your home’s electrical infrastructure. Even so, it is a good idea to have a licensed electrician inspect your home’s electrical wiring before your first charge. Older homes without grounded outlets will require an electrical upgrade.
Level 2 Charging
Some Level 2 charging stations are designed to be plugged into a 240 volt outlet (usually NEMA 14-50 "dryer-style" outlet), and others are designed to be hard-wired directly into your home’s electrical system.
If you choose to install a Level 2 charging station, a licensed electrician and a building permit may be required for any electrical work, such as outlet installation, hard-wiring of a charging station, or service panel upgrade. Your electrician should be able to assess your home and determine what is needed to support a Level 2 charging station.
Finding an Electrical Contractor
Your EV manufacturer or dealer may recommend an electrical contractor. Alternatively, Hawaii Energy’s Clean Energy Allies list is one resource that can help you find local installers. Ensure that your selected contractor is experienced in EV charging installation and holds a valid electrician’s license in the State of Hawaii. We encourage you to request estimates from multiple vendors to find the one that is right for you.
Electrical Service Upgrades
If your electrician determines that you need to increase the capacity of your home’s electrical service to serve an EV charging station, they will need to submit a Service Request to Hawaiian Electric through our Customer Interconnection Tool. Details on the documentation accompanying their Service Request can be found at the following links:
Permitting
To find out more about the permitting process, please consult with your county’s planning or permitting department. A licensed electrician or EV charging vendor should be able to guide you through the permitting process.
Step 4: Select and purchase your charger
Considering Level 1 Charging? Level 1 charging cables are typically provided with your vehicle and do not require you to purchase any further charger hardware.
Selecting your charger
An experienced EV charging vendor should be able to help you select a charger that is right for you.
The following are a few key things to consider:
- Do you want a “smart” charger? (ie: a charger that is web-enabled and can help you track your usage, schedule your charging, and view your charging status from your smart-phone)
- Will your Level 2 charger be hard-wired, or will it plug into a NEMA 14-50 outlet?
- Ensure that your charger is sized according to the capacity of your home’s electrical panel and electrical service.
- Ensure that your charger’s connector is compatible with your vehicle.
- Make sure the cord is long enough to reach your vehicle.
- What are your vehicle’s charging capabilities? Even with a higher-powered charger, some vehicles’ on-board charging hardware may limit charging speed.
- If the charger will be exposed to rain, sun or salt, will it withstand the elements?
- Will your charger be located in a secure area (e.g. enclosed garage) that only you will be able to access? Or, do you need to manage who can initiate a charge?
- What are the expected ongoing costs? Are there subscription fees or troubleshooting/repair services to consider?
- What type of charging port does your vehicle use? Common charging port standards include NACS and J-1772.
- Do you anticipate charging more than one vehicle at a time in the future? Would a dual-port charger be beneficial?
- Where is the charging port on the vehicle (e.g. rear, side, front)? What are the dimensions of the charger, and is there sufficient space to mount it near the charging port on the vehicle?
Purchasing your charger
When purchasing your charger, we suggest consulting with your electrician or trusted EV charging vendor to ensure that you choose a model that is compatible with your home’s electrical system. You might wish to have your electrician purchase the charger on your behalf to ensure compatibility.
Purchase your charger from a reputable source and manufacturer. It might seem obvious, but chargers are electrical devices, and have the potential to cause damage and injury if not properly certified, manufactured and installed.
Rebates and Incentives
The Federal Government’s Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit offers tax credits of up to 30% of the cost with a maximum amount of $1,000 per item. These rebates apply to qualified EV charging equipment installed between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2032 for the consumer’s principal residence in rural or low-income census tracts, subject to other conditions. Please consult your tax professional or visit the Alternative Fuel Data Center’s website for more information.
Sign up for Hawaiian Electric’s Smart Charge Hawaii pilot. You can earn up to $150 in cash rewards, or 10,000 HawaiianMiles for connecting your vehicle or smart charger to ev.energy’s platform. Participants will be given access to ev.energy’s mobile app that provides EV drivers with the ability to track EV charging costs and consumption at home and on the go. The app includes smart charging features such as automated low carbon charging for customers with rooftop solar. For more information, or to sign up, visit https://smartchargehi.ev.energy/.
Step 5: Select your preferred electric rate
The rate options below are currently available for residential customers on their meter that supplies their home. Separate meters serving only EV charging are not eligible for residential rates, and will be enrolled in the appropriate commercial rate schedule.
Schedule R
If you remain on the standard residential rate, Schedule R, you can charge your electric vehicle and use your electric appliances on the same rate at any time of day. You do not have to contact Hawaiian Electric or take any action to change your rate.
Time-of-Use Rates through the Shift and Save Pilot Program
Time-of-Use (TOU) rates have different rates depending on the time of day that you use energy. You can save money if you shift your energy use away from the high-demand evening and overnight hours that are billed at a higher kWh rate. The more you shift your energy usage away from those hours, the more money you could save.
A new pilot program for TOU rates, called Shift and Save, started in Feb. 2024 with randomly selected customers. This 1-year pilot program will involve only about 4% of our customers on Oahu and Hawaii Island. Rates for all other customers remain unchanged.
Even if you were not pre-selected for the Shift and Save pilot, you can still request to enroll in the pilot TOU rates by filling out this form. Even though customers in Maui County were not randomly selected for the pilot, they can still opt into the TOU rates. Note that these rates would apply to all electricity consumed through your home’s utility meter – not only electricity used to charge your electric vehicle.
Please visit the Shift and Save pilot program website for more information.
Step 6: Establish your charging routine
By charging in a predictable and consistent way, you can make sure that your vehicle is always ready, while potentially saving money and reducing your environmental footprint.
Tips to help establish your routine:
- Pick your preferred time to charge. Consider when you use your vehicle and your electricity rate. To minimize carbon emissions from charging your vehicle, we encourage charging between 9am-5pm, when the most solar energy is available on our system. If you have rooftop solar or battery storage at your home, make sure that your EV charging schedule is coordinated with your solar/battery system’s settings.
- Set up your charger and vehicle’s charging settings. Make sure that schedules on both systems are set up according to your preference.
- Even if you don’t want to charge right away, get in the habit of plugging in your vehicle as soon as you arrive home. This way, you will lower the chance of forgetting to charge your vehicle. Learn to use your vehicle’s mobile application or on-board charging settings to schedule charging at your preferred time.
Still have questions? Contact us at goev@hawaiianelectric.com for assistance.
