Hawaii Voters Support Full Transition to Electric Vehicles by 2030

First statewide poll by Coltura on phasing out the sale of new gas vehicles by 2030 shows strong voter support as concerns mount about the impacts of localized air pollution and the climate crisis.

News Release from Blue Planet Foundation, November 16, 2021

HONOLULU, Nov. 16, 2021  -- According to a new poll commissioned by Coltura, 66% of Hawaii voters support a policy that would require all new cars sold to be electric by 2030 to reduce air pollution, combat climate change, create jobs, and keep energy dollars in the state. Under such a policy posed in the poll, individuals could still drive, buy, and sell gas-powered cars manufactured before 2030. Just 24% of Hawaii voters oppose the policy.

(Really Obvious Question: If this is true, why are electric cars only 1% of the fleet right now?)

"To achieve significant reductions in carbon emissions, we must address a major source of carbon pollution driving the climate crisis: gas-powered cars, trucks, and SUVs," said Janelle London, co-executive director of Coltura. "The findings of this poll make clear that the public supports a 2030 target date for phasing out gasoline-powered vehicles. It's time for elected officials to pass laws that reflect the will of their constituents."

The survey went deeper to inquire about attitudes towards electric cars, gasoline usage, and the environment. Hawaii residents surveyed showed interest in switching from gas-powered cars to electric vehicles (EVs). It found 76% of respondents have a somewhat or very positive opinion of EVs -- the highest of any state polled. Of respondents planning to purchase a vehicle in the next five years, 58% said they were likely to buy an EV.

The top two factors influencing Hawaii residents' likelihood of getting an EV were the availability of a federal tax credit of $7,500 and more public charging stations. Most EVs are currently eligible for the federal tax credit, but the Biden administration has proposed increasing the credit to $12,500 for EVs made in America by union labor.

Nationally, 68% of respondents have a positive attitude towards EVs. Black and Hispanic respondents support phasing out gasoline cars by a 2:1 margin. Additionally, 71% of voters aged 18-34 favor phasing out gas cars by 2030.

The Hawaii legislature has considered legislation calling for a phase out of gasoline vehicles or setting a goal for 100% renewable ground transportation. HB 393, introduced in 2021, would have prohibited the sale of fossil fuel powered cars starting in 2030. Lawmakers passed a bill this year (HB 552) calling for state-owned light-duty vehicles to be zero-emission by 2035.

"If we are serious about achieving our clean transportation and carbon reduction goals, we need to set clear policies on what types of vehicles are allowable in Hawaii," said Melissa Miyashiro, executive director at Blue Planet Foundation, a Hawaii-based nonprofit with a mission to clear the path for 100% clean energy. "This polling underscores a transition we're already seeing on the ground. Fossil fuel-powered internal combustion engines are simply incompatible with a stable climate, and the time for decisive policy action is now."

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HB 393: Text, Status

HB 552: Text, Status

About the Poll
Climate Nexus Polling, in partnership with the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication and the George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication, conducted a representative survey of 2,678 registered voters across the U.S. in a scientific online poll conducted in October 2021. An oversample of 153 voters was conducted in Hawaii (margin of error +/- 9.3%). Polling methodology and additional findings are available at https://www.coltura.org/polling.

About Blue Planet Foundation
Blue Planet Foundation is a Hawaii-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to solving the climate change challenge and clearing the path for 100% clean energy. Learn more at blueplanetfoundation.org

About Coltura
Coltura is working to improve climate, health, and equity by accelerating the transition from gasoline and diesel to cleaner alternatives. It focuses on changing gasoline supply, gasoline demand, and gasoline culture through innovative legal and policy pathways, media, and art. It is currently leading a multi-state effort to introduce legislation setting a target for all model year 2030 or later passenger and light-duty vehicles sold to be electric vehicles. Learn more at www.coltura.org.