MECO Debuts “Open Access” Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Maui Electric’s Troy Connatser demonstrates plugging in an electric vehicle to the island’s first “open access” DC fast charger that is now open to the public at the company’s Kahului office. The company says the DC Fast Charging station can fully charge an electric vehicle in 15 to 30 minutes. Courtesy photo.

By Maui Now Staff

Maui Electric announced the debut of a new electric vehicle charging station at its office located on West Kamehameha Avenue in Kahului.

The station is open to the public around the clock, and is the first open access charging station on the island, according to a company announcement.

That means drivers are not required to sign up for a membership or subscription to use the charger.

Company executives say it is also the first charger on the island to offer variable pricing for time of day and day of week charging , with various payment options.

The charging station was introduced as part of a pilot program to advance the adoption of more electric vehicles on the island, the Maui Electric Company announcement said.

“As the EV population grows on Maui, we wanted to provide flexibility and choices,” said Troy Connatser, customer designer at Maui Electric in a company press release.

“Having options, like variable pricing, will also hopefully encourage customers to charge EVs during different times of the day. For instance, when general load is low but more variable clean energy sources, such as wind and solar, may be available,” he said.