The State of Hawaii has partnered with Nissan North America to promote the use of electric cars and infrastructure in the state.
The partnership, which was announced at the Asia Pacific Clean Energy Summit and Expo in Honolulu, marks Nissan’s first definitive agreement in the United States and will help to foster the adoption of electric-car technology.
Under the agreement, Nissan and Hawaii will develop plans to promote a charging infrastructure for electric cars, as well as the deployment, operation and maintenance of a charging network.
The partners also will work to coordinate the establishment of policies and help streamline the deployment of an EV infrastructure. Nissan is committing to bringing a supply of Nissan LEAF electric cars to Hawaii and readying the dealer body to sell and lease them to consumers.
Earlier this year, Hawaii has been selected by Nissan as an initial launch market for the electric Nissan LEAF when it goes on sale in the U.S.
Hawaii has demonstrated policy leadership through the creation of a $4,500 state tax credit towards the purchase of an electric car and a $500 state tax credit towards the purchase and installation of a home charging station. The state tax credit, paired with an available $7,500 federal tax credit, could bring the price of a Nissan LEAF, which carries a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $32,780, to as low as $20,780 for Hawaii consumers.
Nationwide, more than 18,600 consumers have reserved a Nissan LEAF. Hawaii has the highest per capita interest in the LEAF, with 300 Hawaii residents already reserving the cars, according to Brian Carolin, Nissan North America senior vice president of sales and marketing.
