Electric vehicles cost less to drive, less to maintain, and are even proving safer on the road than vehicles with internal combustion engines. Think about it. Your car will never – we repeat, never – need an oil change. A gas station? Purchase a BEV and you’ll never need one for the life of your car. No more gasoline fumes to inhale. No oil leaks. BEVs have fewer moving parts compared to a conventional gasoline engine, resulting in less maintenance. And break wear is significantly reduced thanks to regenerative braking. Electric vehicles also reduce the harmful emissions that contribute to climate change, thanks in part to how efficient they are. And, they’re getting cleaner every day as Hawaii progresses to its goal of 100% clean energy by 2045.

You can calculate your estimated fuel savings from choosing electric over gas, by inputting a few key metrics into this Savings Calculator. You can calculate your kWH rate from the information in your utility bill, by dividing your total charges by the total kWh used during the period billed. For example, the sample bill to the right of $157.26 for 525kWh equates to a rate of $.30/kWh. Your electricity costs will fluctuate slightly over time, so it may be a good idea to take an average over multiple billing cycles.

There are other benefits too. EV purchasers can receive a tax credit of between $2,500 and $7,500, depending on the vehicle battery capacity. Battery-only EVs will typically receive the full $7,500, while plug-in hybrids will receive an amount between $2,500 and $7,500, depending on battery capacity. This benefit can only be taken as a credit on your taxes, and not as a tax rebate. In Hawaii, some automobile dealers even offer flexible lease arrangements allowing consumers to take advantage of this federal tax credit upfront.