HONOLULU – The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT) is set to implement its Hawaiʻi Road Usage Charge (HiRUC) program for light-duty passenger electric vehicles (EVs), effective July 1, 2025. This marks a significant shift in how the state funds its transportation infrastructure, following a federally funded three-year research and demonstration project and authorizing legislation passed in 2023.
“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. It’s a much fairer way for everyone to contribute to keeping our roads and bridges safe and operable,” said Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation Director Ed Sniffen.
The HiRUC program aims to address the decline in motor fuel tax revenues as more Hawaiʻi drivers switch to fuel-efficient, hybrid, or all-electric vehicles. By linking funding directly to road usage, the state seeks to ensure a long-term, sustainable source of revenue for maintaining Hawaiʻi’s vital roads, bridges, and infrastructure.
How the Program Works for EV Owners:
Beginning with their next registration renewal received after July 1, eligible EV owners will have two state RUC payment options, both of which will replace the state’s current $50 EV registration surcharge:
- Per-mile Road Usage Charge (RUC): $8 per 1,000 miles driven, capped at $50 annually.
- Flat Annual State RUC: A flat fee of $50 per year.
HDOT emphasizes that the registration renewal process will remain nearly identical to current procedures. A key difference will be that vehicle odometers will be photographed at their next periodic motor vehicle safety inspections, or “safety checks,” to accurately record mileage for those choosing the per-mile option.
“Hawaiʻi is fortunate since we can use our annual safety inspection program, making the process easy and cost-effective,” Sniffen added.
Hawaiʻi EV Association President Noel Morin expressed support for the transition: “EV drivers have long led our journey to a sustainable transportation future. As we move away from gas vehicles, we must modernize how we fund our roadways and bridges. The Hawaiʻi Road Usage Charge is a fair and forward-looking solution that ensures everyone contributes to the infrastructure we all rely on.”
Future Expansion:
While the program initially targets EVs, the state has a clear plan for broader implementation:
- By 2028, the state per-mile RUC will become mandatory for all EVs, eliminating the flat annual option.
- By 2033, the HiRUC program is expected to expand to include all light-duty vehicles, transitioning away from fuel taxes as the primary funding mechanism for roadways.
Eligible EV owners renewing their vehicle registrations after July 1 will see these choices presented on their annual vehicle registration renewal notices. EV owners can utilize the HiRUC Program’s RUC Estimator tool to help determine the best option for their driving habits.
Vehicle registration renewal can be completed using any existing method through each county’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) – online, at Hawaiʻi DMV Now Kiosks (https://hawaiidmvnowkiosk.com/), by mail, or in-person.
For more information on the Hawaiʻi Road Usage Charge Program, visit https://www.hiruc.org or access a quick guide at https://hidot.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/2025-MEDIA-HiRUC-Fact-Sheet.pdf.