Electricity rates in Hawaii and what they mean for charging an EV

Average residential price, how it moved over the past year, the state's EV registration fee, and the annual home-charging cost of every current electric car.

Hawaii sits at 52.72¢ per kWh on a scale running from 13.11¢ in Nevada to 52.72¢ in Hawaii.

Households in Hawaii pay an average of 52.72¢ per kilowatt-hour, against a national average of 19.42¢. That is 171% above the U.S. figure, and it moved up 28.7% from 40.96¢ a year earlier.

EV registration fees in Hawaii

Most states charge electric vehicles an extra registration fee to make up for the gasoline tax they do not pay. What Hawaii currently has on the books, per the U.S. Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center:

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Registration

Owners of electric vehicles and AFVs must pay an annual fee of $50, in addition to standard registration fees. Fees contribute to the State Highway Fund. (Reference Hawaii Revised Statutes 249-31)

Electric Vehicle (EV) Road Usage Charge Program

The owner of an EV may elect to pay an annual mileage-based road usage fee in lieu of paying an additional registration fee. The fee is 8/10 of a cent (0.8¢) per mile, up to $50 per year. Beginning June 30, 2028, the additional registration fee expires, and all EV owners must pay the state mileage-based road usage charge. Additional conditions apply. For more information, see the Hawaii Department of Transportation Road Usage Charge Demonstration website. (Reference Hawaii Revised Statues 249-2 and 249-36)

Most efficient, median and least efficient of the 223 electric cars on sale, charged at Hawaii prices.

Annual home-charging cost in Hawaii, by car

At 52.72¢/kWh and 12,000 miles a year. Sorted from most to least efficient.

States that pay about the same

Cheapest in the country: Nevada (13.11¢), Nebraska (13.25¢), Utah (13.37¢). Most expensive: California (34.74¢), Massachusetts (29.61¢). See all 51 →

Questions people ask about electricity and EVs in Hawaii

How much is electricity in Hawaii?

Households in Hawaii pay an average of 52.72¢ per kilowatt-hour, against a U.S. average of 19.42¢. That is 171% above the national figure, making it the 1st most expensive of 51 including DC. Prices moved up 28.7% over the past year, from 40.96¢.

How much does it cost to charge an electric car in Hawaii?

At 52.72¢ per kWh and 12,000 miles a year, home charging runs from $1,461 a year for the most efficient car on sale (the Lucid Air Pure) to $4,181 for the least efficient (the GMC Hummer EV SUV 2M20). Public DC fast charging costs substantially more per kWh than charging at home.

Does Hawaii charge an EV registration fee?

Yes. Hawaii charges an annual fee on electric vehicles of $50, on top of normal registration, to make up for the gasoline tax an EV does not pay. The exact amount depends on the vehicle type — the statutory text is quoted in full above.

Is Hawaii a cheap place to run an electric car?

On electricity price alone, no. Charging a typical EV for a year costs $2,245 here, compared with $827 at the national average price. Registration fees and insurance vary by state too and are not included in that figure.

Electricity price is the state-wide average residential rate from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly table 5.6.A (May 2026). Your own utility's rate — and any time-of-use plan you are on — can differ substantially. Energy use per 100 miles is derived from EPA ratings; see any car's page for the method.