Electric Vehicles

Electric Vehicles are becoming more popular on the island and designated license plates are available for these vehicles.

Vehicles bearing Electric Vehicle license plates are able to use HOV lanes with a single occupant until Sept. 30, 2025 when the Federal government authorization expires.

The popularity of these vehicles have caused the license plate design to be altered, changing to a five-character identifier from the previous four-character license plate. Previously issued license plates are still valid and do not need to be exchanged.

Qualifications

In order to be eligible for Electric Vehicle license plates, the vehicle must be recognized as a qualifying electric vehicle on one of the following United States Government websites:

Model Year 2022 and earlier vehicles

Model Year 2023 and later vehicles

In addition to the usual registration fees and taxes, electric vehicles are also assessed an additional $50 annual surcharge per Hawaii Revised Statutes §249-31. Starting in July 2025, the Hawaii Road Usage Charge program began to change the fee model for electric vehicles.

Incentives

General incentives for electric and alternative fuel vehicles are summarized at https://afdc.energy.gov/laws/all?state=HI#State%20Incentives.