Alternative Fuel and Advanced Vehicle Acquisition and Rental Requirements

State agencies must coordinate vehicle acquisition efforts to transition light-duty state fleet vehicles to 100% zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) by 2035. To support the state fleet transition to ZEVs, state and county agencies must purchase light-duty vehicles that reduce petroleum consumption. Vehicle purchasing priority is as follows:

1. ZEVs;
2. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles;
3. Other alternative fuel vehicles; and
4. Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs).

Exemptions may apply. State agencies must purchase the most fuel-efficient vehicle available that meets agency needs, use alternative fuels and ethanol blended gasoline when available, evaluate a purchase preference for biodiesel blends, and promote the efficient operation of vehicles. For the purpose of this requirement, an alternative fuel is defined as an alcohol fuel, an alcohol fuel blend containing at least 85% alcohol, natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas (propane), hydrogen, biodiesel, a biodiesel blend containing at least 20% biodiesel, a fuel derived from biological materials, or electricity generated from off-board energy sources.

State employees renting a vehicle for government business must rent either EVs or HEVs. Rental rates for EVs and HEVs must be comparable to that of a conventional internal combustion engine vehicle equivalent.

For more information, see the [Hawaii State Energy Offices Vehicle Purchasing Guidelines website.

(Reference Hawaii Revised Statutes 103D-412 and 196-9)