KAHULUI, Hawaii — Free charging at the electric vehicle charging station at Kahului Park & Ride on Maui will come to an end as charging rates kick in at midnight Monday, March 11.

The charging station along Kuihelani Highway (Route 380) on Maui is the state’s first funded by the federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program. Charging has been free to the public since Feb. 28 when the station opened.

According to the Hawaii Department of Transportation, charging rates will be $0.44 per kWh from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and $0.57 per kWh from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m. The agency will review rates on a quarterly basis to adjust for cost of electricity. HDOT does not profit from NEVI-charge use.

People can check payment and charger availability through the EV Connect App. There are four 150 kW DC fast chargers with Combined Charging System and CHArge de Move ports. Each charger has a QR code to start a charging session for customers using the mobile app. Credit card payments will be accepted and the pricing policy is displayed at the station.

Depending on the capability of the EV, customers can get up to 40 to 100 miles with a 10-minute charge per HDOT.

Users can report issues through the app or contact EV Connect’s 24/7 Driver Support at 866-816-7584.

The $3 million NEVI station on Maui was designed and constructed with $2.4 million in federal funds and $600,000 from the state highway fund.

The goals of the federal NEVI program are to accelerate the use of EVs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, help the U.S. lead the world in transportation electrification efforts, and build out a national network of electric vehicle chargers.

Sarah Yamanaka covers news and events for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.