Green Energy Outlet (GEO), 575 Cooke St., in the Kaka’ako area, is now operating Hawaii’s first public electric vehicle charging station, with free charging until the end of March.
“For the first time the public will be able to drive up to an electric charging station and charge their electric vehicle (EVs) 24/7, a major milestone for Hawaii,” GEO President Frank Rogers said in a news release issued last week. The station opened Saturday.
“The lack of public stations has been a roadblock to the acceptance” of electric vehicles, Rogers said. Also, he said, “Car manufacturers say that they can’t commit to producing EVs until the charging infrastructure is in place.” GEO officials maintain that its central Honolulu station marks a step toward resolving the classic “chicken or egg” situation.
At the station, electric vehicles such as electric bikes, mopeds, Segways and Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs) are using charging equipment that will allow a user to charge by either waving a smart card (RFID) in front of the device, or by placing a Toll Free call to activate the charge. For additional information about GEO, call 383-6932.