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:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the State and counties are committed to accelerating the transition to zero‑emission vehicles. 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.

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. 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.

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. 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.

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. 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. In September 2025, electric vehicle producer Rivian announced a reduction of 4.5 per cent of its workforce. 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.

The legislature believes that the adoption of electric vehicles is essential to the State's climate change mitigation strategies. To encourage broader use of zero-emissions vehicles, the State must guarantee stable funding for zero‑emissions vehicle charging infrastructure. 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.

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.

SECTION 2. 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:

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

(2) 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;

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

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

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

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

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________