The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT) has introduced the Hawai‘i Road Usage Charge (HiRUC) programme for light-duty passenger electric vehicles (EVs), effective from 1 July 2025.
The policy follows a three-year federally funded research and demonstration project and was enabled through state legislation passed in 2023.
Under the new system, eligible EV owners renewing their registrations after 1 July will have a choice: pay a per-mile charge of US$8 per 1,000 miles driven, capped at US$50, or opt for a flat annual fee of US$50.
The previous US$50 state EV registration surcharge will be replaced. From 2028, the per-mile charge will become mandatory for EVs, with plans to expand the system to all light-duty vehicles by 2033.
HDOT said the change aims to ensure sustainable, long-term funding for road and bridge maintenance as revenues from fuel taxes decline with increased adoption of fuel-efficient, hybrid and electric vehicles.
“Instead of paying based on what type of car you drive – or can afford – a road usage charge means vehicle owners will pay only for how much they actually drive,” said HDOT director Ed Sniffen.
“It’s a much fairer way for everyone to contribute to keeping our roads and bridges safe and operable.”
EV owners will see the RUC options on their annual vehicle registration renewal notices, with odometer readings to be captured during Hawai‘i’s existing periodic motor vehicle safety inspections.
Vehicle registration renewal can continue through any of the US state’s existing channels, including online, mail, in-person or through Hawai‘i DMV Now kiosks.
The Hawai‘i EV Association has expressed support for the policy, calling it a fair and forward-looking solution to fund vital transport infrastructure.
FREE: Subscribe to the monthly Road User Charging Newsletter!
Hawai‘i EV Association president Noel Morin said: “As we move away from gas vehicles, we must modernise how we fund our roadways and bridges.
“The Hawai‘i Road Usage Charge ensures everyone contributes to the infrastructure we all rely on.”
The HiRUC scheme will initially apply only to EVs that are registered in Hawai‘i, have three or more wheels, operate at or above 35mph, and have a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less.
Plug-in hybrid and hybrid vehicles are excluded from the initial programme, though the HDOT is studying options for their inclusion in future.
With a comprehensive agenda, exclusive networking opportunities and participation from key federal and state-level stakeholders, the Road Pricing Summit is the only independent annual forum of its kind for tolling and road pricing leaders across the USA. The event takes place on 18-19 September 2025 at the Hyatt Regency Miami
