Ontario, Calif. –December 9, 2008 Governor Linda Lingle today announced a plan to bring all-electric vehicles and an electric vehicle infrastructure to the island of Maui through a partnership with Phoenix Motorcars by 2009.
"This public-private partnership to bring electric vehicles to our state marks another significant development in the Hawai'i Clean Energy Initiative, as we seek to reduce Hawai'i's dependence on imported oil," Governor Lingle said. "It is also an important part of our Administration's five-point economic action plan, which includes attracting innovative private investments, especially in renewable energy technology. We appreciate the confidence Phoenix Motorcars has in the Hawai'i marketplace and the recognition of our ongoing collaborative efforts to capitalize on Hawai'i's abundant natural renewable energy resources."
Phoenix Motorcars has signed a memorandum of understanding with Maui Electric for a test program using Phoenix Motorcars' electric pick-up trucks in the utility fleet.
"We're very interested in testing electric vehicles from manufacturers like Phoenix Motorcars to use electricity generated by renewable resources during off-peak hours, and to determine whether electric vehicles can efficiently store that power and return it to the grid when there's high demand," said Ed Reinhardt, president of Maui Electric.
"This public-private partnership to bring electric vehicles to our state marks another significant development in the Hawai'i Clean Energy Initiative, as we seek to reduce Hawai'i's dependence on imported oil," Governor Lingle said. "It is also an important part of our Administration's five-point economic action plan, which includes attracting innovative private investments, especially in renewable energy technology. We appreciate the confidence Phoenix Motorcars has in Hawai'i and the recognition of our ongoing collaborative efforts to capitalize on Hawai'i's abundant natural renewable energy resources."
-Jen
Phoenix