HB 198 Summary

• Establishes a low- to moderate-income electric vehicle rebate program administered by the Department of Transportation to incentivize purchase or lease of qualifying electric vehicles by eligible households and nonprofits.

• Eligible applicants include Hawaii residents in low- to moderate-income households (up to 140% of area median income) and 501(c)(3) nonprofits providing services to low-income households; applicants must register the vehicle in Hawaii and maintain registration for at least 24 consecutive months.

• Rebate amounts to be specified by the department (bill text contains blank spaces for percentage/dollar amounts), with individual annual caps and a total annual program cap; applications must be submitted within six months of purchase or lease.

• Qualifying electric vehicles must be purchased or leased after July 1, 2023, cost no more than $75,000, include at least 24 months of manufacturer warranty on drivetrain/battery, and comply with federal safety standards.

• Creates an electric vehicle subaccount within the highway development special fund; authorizes the department to contract with a third-party administrator (limited to 10% of appropriated funds for administration) and allows expanded financing options for eligible applicants.