A City Council proposal to require 25% electric vehicle- enabled stalls in new single- and multi-family housing will pile onto the already excessive cost of a new home. The National Association of Home Builders data shows that for every $1,000 in increased building costs, 250,000 families will no longer qualify for a home loan. Home ownership is becoming an unattainable dream for even higher-income families. Enough, already!

Maui, Kauai, and soon Hawaii County have represented their people well by prioritizing lower building costs over forced EV-charger installation that may never be used. The Honolulu City Council must no longer support proposals that increase new home prices for Oahu’s families.

Pump the brakes and give us a chance to raise our families in newer, safer and more affordable homes. Follow suit, as was so wisely done on the neighbor islands. Let EVs take care of themselves tomorrow, because your job is to take care of us today.

Marshall Hickox

Building Industry Association of Hawaii

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