The Intersection of Performance and Power
What happens when multi-million dollar supercars go electric? In this unique episode of The Solar Coaster, I visited Rey Wolmers at Velocity Honolulu—surrounded by Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Bentleys, and Maseratis—to explore the fascinating intersection of luxury automotive and clean energy.
As both a Real Estate Broker at eXp Realty and a Luxury Automotive Consultant, Rey sits at a unique vantage point: watching wealthy clients navigate the shift from roaring gas engines to whisper-quiet electric power, often powered by the solar panels on their roofs.
The Hybrid Revolution: How It Started
The luxury automotive industry’s electrification journey didn’t begin with a whimper—it began with a roar.
“It probably started with Lamborghini and the Scion when they came out around 2020,” Rey explained. “That was the first hybrid. They used the hybrid electric portion for power, not just economy.”
This was a critical distinction. Unlike mainstream hybrids focused on fuel efficiency, Lamborghini’s approach used electricity to create MORE power—combining a gas engine with an electric hybrid system for straight-up power and torque.
The $3.8 Million Statement
Rey pointed to the orange Lamborghini Scion in the corner of the showroom—a 2020 model worth $3.8 million. “That one’s a hybrid,” he said casually, as if discussing a Honda Civic.
This wasn’t about saving money at the pump. This was about performance enhancement through electrification—a fundamentally different value proposition than what drove mainstream EV adoption.
The Porsche Taycan: The Game-Changer
Both Rey and I shared a common experience: initial resistance to electric vehicles, followed by conversion after experiencing the Porsche Taycan.
“I had a really hard time moving over to my Porsche Taycan,” I admitted. “But it wasn’t until that car came out that I really felt like, okay, I can do this.”
Rey understood completely. The Taycan represented something crucial—an electric vehicle that felt like a “real car” in ways that other EVs didn’t.
“It’s more about the role,” Rey noted. “When you’re in a Taycan, it feels like it feels like a real car. Not like sitting in a basic Tesla where it doesn’t feel like the luxury experience.”
This distinction matters enormously in the luxury market. Wealthy buyers aren’t just purchasing transportation—they’re buying an experience, a feeling, a connection to the machine.
Ferrari Goes Fully Electric: The Purist Dilemma
Just days before our conversation, Ferrari made a stunning announcement: they’re producing a fully electric Ferrari. Not a hybrid. Full EV.
“There’s going to be a lot of judgment happening on that,” Rey predicted. “Right now they’re trying to figure out—do they keep the sound? Do they generate a fake sound?”
The Sound Question
For many luxury car enthusiasts, engine sound isn’t just noise—it’s part of the soul of the vehicle. The roar of a Ferrari V12 or the growl of a Lamborghini V10 creates visceral emotional responses.
Rey confirmed that many luxury EVs do generate artificial engine sounds. But will purists accept it?
“There will still be some purists out there, but they’ll buy older versions and just hold them and collect them,” Rey observed.
##The Hawaii Advantage: Perfect EV Territory
Our conversation highlighted why Hawaii represents an ideal market for luxury EVs, especially when paired with solar.
Short Distances
“You can’t drive that fast anywhere,” Rey laughed. “What’s the fastest you can drive here? Fifty miles an hour.”
With limited distances and relatively slow speeds (officially, anyway—Rey may or may not have hit 130 mph somewhere on the island), range anxiety becomes less of an issue.
Abundant Sun
Hawaii’s year-round sunshine makes solar EV charging both practical and economical. Rey has solar panels and batteries at his home, installed right after COVID, allowing him to charge his vehicles with clean, self-generated power.
The Convenience Factor
“They want convenience and they want long range, and they don’t want to be stuck charging their car somewhere,” Rey explained about his clients. “So most of the people will have solar at their own home and charging.”
For wealthy buyers, installing home solar and charging infrastructure is a minor expense compared to the vehicle purchase—but it delivers major convenience.
The Tax Credit Reality
With federal EV tax credits ending last month (as of our recording), I asked Rey whether luxury manufacturers would offer their own incentives.
His response was refreshingly direct: “Why would they? If you’re going to spend that kind of money on a car, do you really care?”
The Luxury Market Logic
“Luckily, the clients that buy these cars don’t necessarily care how much it costs. They’ll pay whatever for it,” Rey noted. “We’re not going to sell twenty or thirty cars a month.”
This is a fundamentally different market than mainstream EV adoption. Tax credits that might sway a middle-class buyer toward a Chevy Bolt have minimal impact on someone purchasing a $400,000-$800,000 electric Ferrari.
Manufacturers can simply adjust pricing, and their clientele will adapt.
Solar + Batteries: Rey’s Home Setup
Rey’s personal experience with solar mirrors many Hawaii residents’ journeys—but with some unique twists.
The HECO Power Purchase Agreement
Rey has an agreement with HECO (Hawaiian Electric Company) to draw down his Tesla Powerwalls to 80% between 6-8 PM to help the state offset power needs. In exchange, he received substantial battery rebates.
“I got two Tesla Powerwalls and I got a check for almost nine thousand dollars,” Rey shared. “That’s through the HECO battery rebate program after they sunset the coal-burning facility.”
This arrangement benefits everyone: Rey gets significant rebates, HECO gets distributed storage to manage grid demand, and the state reduces reliance on fossil fuels.
The HECO Monopoly Challenge
We discussed Hawaii’s utility monopoly situation—where HECO controls all electricity on most islands with no competition.
“It’s kind of like a monopoly because you only get electricity one place here,” Rey noted. “In Texas, you can throw a shoe and you can hit a utility company.”
This lack of competition keeps electricity rates high—another factor driving solar adoption among those who can afford the upfront investment.
Charging Infrastructure and Range Anxiety
Rey highlighted the ongoing challenges with EV charging infrastructure, particularly for long-distance travel.
The Mainland Challenge
“On the mainland, we have a couple clients working on electrification of the highway systems,” Rey explained. “Unlike the Autobahn, which is really set up for success with convenient locations and rapid Level 2, 3, 4 charging.”
The goal is fast charging that doesn’t require extended stops. “Who wants to be traveling across the country and sitting somewhere for an hour?” Rey asked. “It’s a waste of time.”
Battery Technology Differences
Rey explained the distinction between different battery technologies:
- Graphite batteries (used in some charging stations) can completely discharge and recharge in 15 minutes
- Lithium-ion batteries (in most EVs) rarely completely discharge and take much longer to charge fully—about 70% capacity charges quickly, but the final 30% takes disproportionately long
This charging curve affects travel planning and infrastructure needs.
The Tesla Standard
An interesting development Rey mentioned: Tesla is becoming the new standard for EV charging, even for non-Tesla luxury vehicles.
“Some of the cars now have to have the Tesla port,” Rey noted. “Are they making the rules now? Is Tesla making the solar or EV rules now?”
Tesla’s Supercharger network—once exclusive to Tesla vehicles—is opening to other manufacturers, effectively making Tesla’s charging standard the industry standard.
Given Tesla’s dominance in both battery storage (Powerwall) and EV charging infrastructure, the company is shaping the entire ecosystem.
Shipping Challenges and Costs
An unexpected topic emerged: the logistics of getting luxury EVs to Hawaii.
Young Brothers Stops Shipping EVs
“Young Brothers no longer will ship lithium or electric vehicles, period,” Rey revealed. “It’s only Pasha that will get those vehicles to and from here now.”
This monopoly on EV shipping to Hawaii increases costs and reduces options—adding to the overall expense of luxury EV ownership on the islands.
Alternative Shipping: Pacific Air Cargo
For my own Porsche Taycan, I used Pacific Air Cargo to fly the car from California rather than waiting three weeks for boat shipping. While expensive, it provided speed and security—worth the premium for high-value vehicles.
“When we ship cars from Milwaukee to the mainland, there’s a lot of opportunity because there’s inventory and flights to LA,” I shared. “It’s about half the price shipping that direction.”
The Future: Hydrogen and Beyond
Our conversation touched on alternative technologies beyond battery-electric vehicles.
Hydrogen Potential
“I haven’t heard a ton about hydrogen, but I know there are people working on them,” Rey said. “If it’s an energy source that powerful, water’s everywhere. They can extract hydrogen from it and create a fuel source if they get the technology right. Sky’s the limit.”
Hydrogen fuel cells represent another potential pathway for clean transportation, particularly for applications where battery weight or charging time create limitations.
The Reality Check
Despite EV enthusiasm, Rey was realistic: “I don’t think gas stations are going to completely go away. There’s never going to be a time where we see them disappear.”
This pragmatic view acknowledges that electrification will coexist with traditional fuels for the foreseeable future, not replace them entirely.
Key Takeaways from Rey’s Luxury EV Perspective
1. Electrification started with performance, not efficiency. Luxury hybrids used electricity for MORE power, not fuel savings.
2. The Porsche Taycan was a game-changer. It proved EVs could deliver the luxury experience discerning buyers demand.
3. Hawaii is ideal for luxury EVs. Short distances, abundant sun, and home solar charging eliminate range anxiety.
4. Tax credits don’t matter in the luxury market. Wealthy buyers care about experience and convenience, not incentives.
5. Infrastructure challenges remain. Fast charging networks need improvement for long-distance travel confidence.
6. Tesla is setting standards. From Powerwall to Superchargers, Tesla is shaping the ecosystem.
7. Sound matters—maybe. The jury’s still out on whether electric Ferraris need fake engine sounds.
8. Solar + EVs create synergy. Home solar charging offers convenience, cost savings, and environmental alignment.
Why This Episode Matters
Rey Wolmers offers a perspective rarely heard in solar conversations: how the ultra-wealthy approach clean energy and transportation. His clients aren’t motivated by tax credits or utility bill savings—they want convenience, performance, and cutting-edge technology.
Yet the fundamentals remain the same: solar power, battery storage, and electric vehicles create a integrated clean energy ecosystem that makes sense both practically and financially—whether you’re driving a $30,000 Nissan Leaf or a $3.8 million Lamborghini Scion.
The luxury market often leads trends that eventually reach mainstream adoption. Rey’s insights suggest that as luxury automotive fully embraces electrification, the broader market will follow—driven by improving technology, expanding infrastructure, and the undeniable advantages of electric power paired with renewable energy.
Listen to the Full Episode
Ready to explore where supercars meet solar? Listen to this unique episode of The Solar Coaster on your favorite podcast platform:
Connect with Rey Wolmers
Learn more about luxury automotive at Velocity Honolulu:
- Website: aloharey.com
- Email: Wolmers3@gmail.com
- Instagram: @Rey_Wolmers
- LinkedIn: Rey Wolmers
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About The Solar Coaster Podcast
The Solar Coaster is a podcast that takes you on the wild ride through the solar industry, told by the people who live it every day. Hosted by Anna Covert—author, digital marketing expert, and founder of Covert Communication—each episode features candid conversations with solar professionals sharing their journeys, challenges, and victories.
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