Fair and sustainable funding is coming,
mahalo for your support!
Governor Josh Green signed the road usage charge (RUC) bill into law (Act 222) on July 5, 2023. The law establishes the option for electric vehicle (EV) drivers to: pay a RUC of less than a penny a mile ($8 for 1,000 miles) driven, OR pay a $50 annual flat fee, beginning July 1, 2025. The $50 annual state registration surcharge EV drivers currently pay will be eliminated, beginning July 1, 2025.
MAHALO to our community, pilot participants, and elected officials for your feedback and support over the past six years. This is a big step towards a clean energy future and securing fair and sustainable funding for the maintenance of our roads and bridges.
What is HiRUC?
The road usage charge (RUC) is a new way for drivers to pay a per-mile fee for their use of roads and bridges. RUC will be a gradual replacement for the state gas tax which is currently used to fund the maintenance of roads and bridges. Long-term, the gas tax will not be a reliable source of funding as more fuel efficient, electric, hybrid and other renewable fuel-powered vehicles replace the need for gas.
As a result of a three-year community outreach, feedback and research project, the road usage charge was found to be the most accepted and fair way to fund the maintenance of roads and bridges. To begin the transition, Hawaii will start with applying the RUC to electric vehicles only starting July 1, 2025.
Key Findings from the HiRUC Final Report
Hawaii drivers
have a high level
of understanding and high initial acceptance of road usage charging, with more support than opposition.
Participants’ support for RUC grew when:
…Funds are dedicated to maintenance and improvement of roads and bridges.
….A RUC program that starts gradually, with an initial RUC for electric vehicles only.
….According to Hawaii residents who participated in the Technology Test Drive, a pilot project where participants reported the miles they drove and provided feedback on the experience: A majority of pilot participants recommended moving forward with a road usage charge program.
A significant majority of drivers prefer to report miles at their annual vehicle inspection.
About half of drivers prefer to pay a road usage charge in quarterly or monthly installments.