The state of Hawaii has recharged its electric-vehicle rebate program with an additional $150,000 in funding and has extended the deadline for rebates on new electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and chargers another two months.

The deadline for the state’s EV rebate program was pushed to March 31 from the Jan. 31 deadline that had been extended from September, the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism said in a statement.

“The state of Hawaii is definitely becoming a national leader when it comes to the acceptance of vehicles that are 100 percent electric,” said Mark Glick, energy program administrator for the State Energy Office. “With the cost of gas still on the rise, these vehicles offer consumers a cost-effective, long-term advantage.”

The rebates — up to $4,500 for the purchase of an electric vehicle and up to $500 for electric vehicle chargers — are on a first-come, first-served basis and will run through the March 31 deadline or when funds run out, whichever comes first, the state said.

Over the past year, the state has approved 528 rebates for 318 electric vehicles and 210 chargers. The additional funding brings to $303,999 the amount left in the rebate program.

“EV enthusiasts in Hawaii have rewarded automakers for rolling out their new electric vehicles in the Islands,” Dave Rolf, executive director of the Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association, said in a statement, noting that Hawaii had the largest per-capita number of reservations for the Nissan Leaf EV. “The state’s addition of $150,000 in (rebates) for consumers purchasing EVs will help keep the momentum on this important transition to renewable fuels.”

Rebate forms are available on the State Energy Office website at www.electricvehicle.hawaii.gov.