Can People in Hawaii be persuaded to get rid of their old cars? : Lessons from China By Mike Markrich
The average age of an internal combustion car in China is 8.1 years. The average age of an EV Vehicle is under two years. In Hawaii, approximately 300,000 vehicles are 15 years old or more. They use a lot of gasoline.
According to the International Energy Agency, the switch towards replacing older cars and encouraging the use of electric vehicles in China displaced approximately 1 million barrels of oil per day in 2025. This represents about 15% of the oil that road transportation would otherwise have consumed if conventional vehicles had provided the same transportation.
Of coure this has not come easy. To make the change China invested in electric trucks, battery manufacturing, charging networks, and battery-swapping technology. Government incentives and vehicle-replacement programs have helped accelerate this transition. Old cars taken off the road were often scrapped.
Hawaiʻi faces a different challenge. Even with incentives many residents cannot afford an electric vehicle or do not have convenient access to charging facilities. Although Hawaiʻi has one of the highest electric-vehicle adoption rates in the United States, EVs still represent less than 4% of what is an aging fleet of cars and trucks. Most cars consume approximately 400 gallons per year.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Hawaiʻi had approximately 28,900 battery-electric light-duty vehicles and 8,400 plug-in hybrids in 2024, out of approximately 997,000 light-duty vehicles. Together, these vehicles represented about 3.7% of the fleet. The principal federal tax credits for purchasing new and used clean vehicles ended for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025,
Access to rooftop solar is another important issue. Hawaiian Electric reported that approximately half of its Oʻahu customers living in single-family homes had rooftop solar in 2026. This is a big plus for electric car owners as the energy they use for their cars is part of their home electric bill. Without paying for gas, the cars help pay for themselves. However, this benefits mostly upper income homeowners. Renters and many condominium residents cannot independently install solar panels or private charging equipment. EVs can still be charged from the grid, at workplaces, or at public charging stations. charging access and affordability remain significant considerations. People may worry about range. But they know in a power outage they have a big advantage, they have power and mobility without having to go to a gas stations. This is not true for people who drive older cars. In case of a hurricane owners of internal combustion engines have to hope that their gas stations will still be open.
For reasons of safety and resiliency Hawaii should find a way to encourage people to give up their old cars
By providing access to more electric vehicles more people would have mobility in the event of an extended power outage
Hawaiʻi could establish a goal of reducing gasoline consumption by 10% by 2035 through a combination of electric-vehicle adoption, charging infrastructure, and alternatives to individual car ownership.
A goal of 100,000 additional EV replacements by 2035 would be ambitious and would require sustained incentives, affordable vehicles, and accessible charging. It would not be sufficient to simply add EVs to the fleet: the program would need to displace gasoline use from vehicles that would otherwise continue to operate.
Reducing gasoline consumption would lower the state's exposure to oil-price shocks and reduce the amount of fuel needed to keep road transportation operating. It would also as in China greatly improve air quality.
A transportation strategy that also improves resilience
Hawaiʻi should consider three complementary initiatives.
1. Expand affordable electric-vehicle ownership. Targeted assistance for qualifying low-income households and seniors could help residents purchase affordable new or used EVs. The state could also support shared charging facilities and electrical upgrades at apartment buildings and condominiums.
2. Connect solar energy with emergency preparedness. Solar panels, batteries, and appropriately equipped EVs can help provide electricity during some power outages. Hawaiʻi could support community charging and resilience hubs that combine solar generation, battery storage, and compatible charging equipment. An EV cannot automatically power a home during a blackout; the vehicle, charger, and electrical system must support backup power.
3. Provide electric community shuttles. Not every resident can afford an electric car, and not every trip requires an individual vehicle. Electric shuttles could provide regular transportation to grocery stores, hospitals, medical appointments, senior centers, and community facilities. This would be a major benefit for people like seniors who would otherwise have to drive or take a bus. If this was the case older people could be encouraged to give up their cars
Conclusion
Hawaiʻi can reduce the number of old cars with electric cars and shuttles. The benefits to residents would be practical, affordable alternatives to old cars that depend on expensive gasoline - if and when the power goes out
