Hawaii Goes Electric

California's announcement last month of its aim to turn San Francisco Bay into the world's electric car capital has been followed by Hawaii jumping on the clean energy bandwagon.

The state spends up to $7bn (£4.75bn) a year on importing oil, and cars account for almost 20% of the state's greenhouse gas emissions.

In a mirror of the Californian plans, the electric transportation company Better Place will aim to build a network of kerbside charging points across Hawaii and create the equivalent of filling stations, where electric car owners will be able to replace their flat batteries for fully charged ones. With a full charge, a typical car will be able to travel 100 miles, ideal for commuting around urban areas.

Governor Linda Lingle yesterday called it "a significant move towards our state gaining independence from foreign oil". She added: "This public-private partnership is exactly the type of investment we have been working on as we continue to carry out our Hawaii clean energy initiative, moving toward the goal of 70% clean energy for the state of Hawaii."

Shai Agassi, chief executive of Better Place, said: "Hawaii, with its ready access to renewable energy resources like solar, wind, wave and geothermal, is the ideal location to serve as a blueprint for the rest of the US."

Better Place will begin introducing cars to test its Hawaii network in 2010, with mass-market cars available in 2012. Israel, Denmark and Australia have also signed up for the scheme.