RELATING TO ZERO-EMISSIONS VEHICLES.

SB2241

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2241

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to zero-emissions vehicles
.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

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SECTION 1.
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The
legislature finds that the State and counties are committed to accelerating the
transition to zero‑emission vehicles.
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A key step in advancing these goals is
expanding access to charging infrastructure to support the widespread adoption
of zero-emissions vehicles by the government, private entities, and the general
public.

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The legislature further finds that Act 122,
Session Laws of Hawaii 2019, established the Hawaii state energy office to
promote clean transportation as part of its expanded mission to assist in the
decarbonization of the State's economy.
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This
legislation aligns with the State's affirmation that energy planning must give
due consideration to increased energy security and self-sufficiency through the
reduction and ultimate elimination of Hawaii's dependence on imported fuels for
electrical generation and ground transportation.

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The legislature additionally finds that
federal officials have targeted numerous programs that stimulate the adoption
of clean energy and electric vehicles in 2025, heightening the urgency of
enacting state policies to safeguard these programs at the local level.
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According to a white paper published by the
Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability at Harvard University in March
2025, federal efforts to cut electric vehicle tax credits will likely reduce
zero-emissions vehicle adoption rates by six per cent, while increasing carbon
emissions by 20.3 million metric tons over baseline projections for 2030.

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The legislature also finds that the Harvard
study found that eliminating zero-emissions vehicles that were included in the
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021 and Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 could
erode electric vehicle sales by another sixteen per cent.
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The enactment of such policies has caused
automakers and other companies in the vehicle space to significantly pull back
on their investments in electric vehicles.
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In September 2025, electric vehicle producer
Rivian announced a reduction of 4.5 per cent of its workforce.
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In October, General Motors announced that more
than three thousand three hundred employees would be laid off from factories in
several states, largely because of new policies targeting electric vehicles.

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The legislature believes that the adoption
of electric vehicles is essential to the State's climate change mitigation
strategies.
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To encourage broader use of
zero-emissions vehicles, the State must guarantee stable funding for zero‑emissions
vehicle charging infrastructure.
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Investing
in charging infrastructure leads to reduced dependence on imported fossil fuels
and encourages electric vehicle adoption, including state mandates that require
public agencies procuring new light‑duty passenger vehicles, light-duty
trucks, or multi‑purpose passenger vehicles to prioritize the purchase of
zero‑emission vehicles, with the goal of attaining one hundred per cent
fleet conversion by 2035.

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Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to
provide funding for the Hawaii state energy office to continue its efforts to
strengthen zero-emissions vehicle infrastructure throughout the State.

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SECTION 2.
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There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii
the sum of $5,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year
2026-2027 for the Hawaii state energy office to:

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(1)
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Inventory
existing fleets that may be transitioned to zero-emissions vehicles;

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(2)
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Identify
necessary charging infrastructure and energy resources that are necessary to
accelerate the adoption of zero-emission vehicles by government agencies,
private sector businesses, and the general public;

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(3)
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Assess
locations that may be suitable for the implementation of zero-emissions vehicle
charging infrastructure; and

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(4)
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Develop
projects and plans for the expansion of zero‑emissions charging
infrastructure statewide, including any cost projections related to the
installation of the infrastructure.

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The sum appropriated shall be expended by
the Hawaii state energy office for the purposes of this Act.

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SECTION 4.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

INTRODUCED
BY:

_____________________________

Report
Title:

HSEO; Zero-Emissions Vehicle
Infrastructure; Government Vehicles; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds for the Hawaii
State Energy Office to
analyze zero-emissions vehicle infrastructure in the
State.

The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.