Hawaii's super-sized dreams to electrify its transportation system will take another leap forward with the installation of electric car charging stations on Oahu's North Shore.

Better Place, in cooperation with Hawaii Reserves Inc. and the Polynesian Cultural Center, will install and manage electric vehicle charging stations at the Laie Shopping Center and the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) in Laie this week. Electric car drivers can use the Better Place charge spots free of charge through the end of 2012 by signing up for a free membership at www.betterplace.com/hawaii.

"The Polynesian Cultural Center is pleased to be partnering with Better Place. The station will fill a real need for charging locations beyond the urban core," said Von Orgill, PCC's CEO.

"The limited range of many electric powered vehicles makes charging station availability along the Windward coast and North Shore important for the overall success of electric vehicles on-island. People need to feel comfortable driving their cars to Laie and beyond," noted Eric Beaver, president of Hawaii Reserves, Inc., which manages the Laie Shopping Center.

Installation of EV Charging Station at Laie Shopping Center

Electric vehicles are part of Envision Laie's long range plans to support clean energy transportation options for the entire community -- residents, students and visitors to the region.

The stations at the shopping center and PCC will be among 130 charge points in over 40 locations on four islands in Better Place's initiative to install a network of charging stations for electric cars throughout the Islands. The stations in Laie will be operational within about a week.

"Hawaii is a perfect place for electric car deployment," said Brian Goldstein, director of Better Place in Hawaii. "They are environmentally friendly, cost effective, and an essential tool to reduce Hawaii's dependence on imported oil."

Better Place is the leading global provider of electric car networks that enable the mass market adoption of electric cars through an innovative battery switch model that makes driving electric cars more affordable, convenient and sustainable than today's gasoline-powered cars. The World Economic Forum has named Better Place a "Global Growth Company Industry Shaper" for its innovative approach in advancing the global switch to electric cars.

We hope that residents will take advantage of this new amenity -- yet another way in which our community is moving forward towards greater sustainability.