About Electric Vehicle Initiatives
Efficiency Maine is administering initiatives to expand availability of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure and electric vehicle adoption in Maine. Click here for more information on electric vehicle charging.
EV Charging Initiatives
Efficiency Maine is supporting the installation of electric vehicle charging equipment, through several initiatives:
Addressing Maine’s Priority EV Fast-Charge Corridors
Efficiency Maine has contracted with ChargePoint Inc. to install DC Fast Charging and Level 2 charging stations along a number of pre-identified travel corridors. These include I-95 from Kittery to Bangor, I-295 from Portland to W. Gardiner, Route 1 from Freeport to Ellsworth, Route 2 from New Hampshire (Bethel) to Newport, Route 3 – from Bangor to Bar Harbor, Route 27 from New Hampshire (Coburn Gore) to Boothbay Harbor, Route 201 from Quebec (at Jackman) to I-95, and Route 302 from New Hampshire (Fryeburg) to I-95/295. As of February 2020, six of the seven sites have been installed and are operational with the remaining site to be installed by May 2020.
Please click here for the full plan outlining EV fast charging corridors.
Installation of Level 2 Chargers
Efficiency Maine launched a competitive solicitation for Level 2 charging sites across the state to increase local access and destination charging. The first round of awardees were announced in September 2019 and the second round were announced in January 2020.
EV Accelerator Rebate Program
Efficiency Maine administers an initiative to promote the strategic purchase and lease and general use of electric vehicles, pursuant to the consent judgement that VW settlement funds be used for environmentally beneficial purposes, such as the reduction of emissions. The electric vehicle initiative includes two efforts, one to support the purchase and lease of electric vehicles by Maine residents and business owners, the other to support the purchase and lease of electric vehicles as fleet resources.
Instant Rebates for Maine Residents and Businesses
Maine residents and business owners purchasing or leasing a qualifying electric vehicle may be eligible for an instant rebate of up to $2,000. The program plans to invest an estimated $2.25 million dollars in electric vehicle purchases and leases by Mainers.
Click here for more information on available rebates, eligible vehicles, and more.
Enhanced Instant Rebates for Government Offices and Fleets
The initiative supports the purchase or lease of electric vehicles for state, county, local or tribal governments. The preliminary budget for the fleet initiative is $2.25 million dollars.
Separately, the Maine Department of Transportation also administers a program to support fleet upgrades for buses, trucks, and other vehicles. Please click here for more information on that program.