Clean Transportation

As a rural and geographically large state, most Maine residents rely on personal vehicles as a primary mode of transportation. Roughly half of Maine’s carbon emissions come from the transportation sector, and gasoline-powered vehicles are the most common vehicles on Maine roads. In 2021, Maine spent about $4.7 billion on imported fossil fuels including gasoline and oil.

Drawing power from an increasingly renewable-powered electricity grid, electric vehicles (EVs) have significantly lower lifecycle emissions compared to traditional gasoline and diesel vehicles. In 2023, 51 percent of the electricity consumed in Maine was generated by renewable sources. By law, that percentage will continue to increase each year until it reaches at least 80% in 2030. Following a 2023 directive from Governor Mills, the Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) is undertaking a study to develop a plan to reach 100 percent clean energy by 2040.

To meet these goals, the state is exploring advancing clean transportation, including EVs and charging infrastructure. To find the latest information and data on electric vehicle adoption and charging in Maine visit the Recharge Maine dashboard.

FAQs about Electric Vehicles (EVs)

Where can I charge my EV?

The average EV owner charges their vehicle at home roughly 80 percent of the time. For public charging locations, visit Recharge Maine’s EV Charger Locator which provides a variety of apps that can help EV drivers plan routes, locate charging stations, and access detailed information about each station.

Do EVs work in cold weather?

Yes, EVs work in cold weather. Unlike combustion engines, EVs do not face issues starting in extreme cold. Both EVs and gasoline powered vehicles may experience reduced energy efficiency in winter. On average, the range of an EV may be reduced by up to 40 percent in cold weather due to increased use of heating. However, that range is improving with newer EV models. In 2022, the Natural Resources Council of Maine conducted a survey of EVs owners in Maine and received 1,230 individual responses from all 16 counties. Of those surveyed, 99 percent said their EV is reliable and 98 percent would recommend EVs to others. While some EV owners still have concerns about reduced range in cold weather, ongoing expansion of EV charging infrastructure and improvements in battery range are expected to alleviate these concerns.

Will EVs overload the grid?

While EVs do add to electricity demand, the New England electric grid is well prepared to handle the growing number of EVs on the road. Regional and state planning bodies regularly update forecasts to ensure there will be enough power and infrastructure to meet future demand, including from increased EV use. ISO New England, the independent federally regulated regional grid operator, prepares annual ten-year forecasts for electricity demand, including for EV charging, to ensure the grid remains reliable.

In Maine, transmission and distribution utilities are required to file grid plans every five years to predict how much electric demand there will be, whether their current assets and equipment are sufficient to meet that need, and, if not, what investments will be required.

Are consumers required to buy EVs in Maine?

No, consumers are not required to buy EVs in Maine or anywhere else in the United States. Maine, like several other states, has adopted Advanced Clean Cars (ACC) standards originally developed by California to encourage the availability and adoption of cleaner vehicle technologies, including zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) such as EVs and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. These ACC standards require automakers to deliver a certain percentage of their annual vehicle sales as ZEVs in each state that has adopted these standards, including Maine. The required percentage increases over time, ensuring a growing market share for clean vehicles.

Recently, some states have taken a further step by adopting ACC II standards. ACC II expands upon the original ACC framework by setting even more ambitious targets for reducing vehicle emissions and requires 100% of new cars sold by 2035 to be zero-emission vehicles. Maine has not adopted ACC II standards.

How much money can EVs save consumers in fuel and maintenance costs?

Argonne National Laboratory’s Driving Electric: Local Fuel Savings Calculator can help you compare the cost of driving an all-electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle to the cost of driving a gas-powered vehicle based on where you live. On average, families that drive an EV can save up to $2,000 in fuel costs annually and $6,000 over the life the vehicle in lower maintenance and repair costs.

How long do EV batteries last?

EV batteries typically last at least as long as traditional gasoline vehicle equivalents, such as engines and transmissions. EV batteries are federally mandated to last at least eight years and 100,00 miles, which far exceeds average mass market transmission warranties (typically 5 years, 60,000 miles). Research from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory shows current EV batteries will last 12-15 years or between 100,000 and 200,000 miles, and new batteries are continuing show improved performance as technology advances.

EV Incentives

Efficiency Maine Trust (EMT) independently administers programs to improve energy efficiency for low-income, residential, commercial, and industrial participants, including incentives for EVs. For EMT’s funding and comment opportunities, visit their opportunities webpage. For federal incentives and funding opportunities, visit the Department of Energy’s Federal and State Laws and Incentives database. For information about federal tax credits for EVs (up to $7,500) and EV charging equipment, visit the U.S. Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center’s Tax Credits for EVs and Charging Infrastructure webpage. You can claim your federal tax credit at the time of purchase at registered dealerships instead of waiting to claim credit when you file your income tax.

EV Charging

Recharge Maine is the state’s initiative to create a comprehensive EV charging network. The initiative is a partnership between the Governor’s Energy Office, Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future, Maine Departments of Transportation and Environmental Protection, and Efficiency Maine Trust. Funds from the Recharge Maine program have been used to expand EV charging infrastructure across Maine as illustrated in the map below.

Recharge Maine leverages funding from the following sources:

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) established the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, providing formula funding to states to deploy EV charging stations nationwide. Over the course of fiscal years (FY) 2022-2026, Maine will receive a total of $18 million to expand its EV charging network on designated alternative fuel corridors. In order to receive NEVI funding, Maine was required to submit an EV Infrastructure Deployment Plan detailing how the NEVI funds will be used to the Federal Highway Associated. This plan must be updated annually to reflect progress and updates. Maine’s most recent EV deployment plan can be found here.

BIL also established the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant program. Through this program in 2024, Maine was awarded $15 million of competitive funds to continue building its EV charging network along highways and within communities.

Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan

The Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan, which is funded through the federal American Rescue Plans Act, allocated nearly $1 million to support the expansion of EV charging stations at community locations such as town halls, schools, and state facilities.

New England Clean Energy Connect

The New England Clean Energy Connect (NECEC), an agreement initiated by Governor Mills and Hydro-Quebec in 2020, includes a $10 million commitment from Hydro-Quebec to expand EV charging infrastructure across Maine.

Goals and Strategic Planning

Clean Transportation Roadmap for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles

Medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (MHDVs) including trucks and buses account for 27 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions from the state’s transportation system, and 10 percent of the state’s total emissions. Decarbonizing Maine’s MHDVs is critical to achieving the state’s climate and clean energy goals. While many MHD zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) currently have higher upfront costs than conventional vehicles, they can offer long-term financial return through lower fuel and maintenance costs, along with available federal and state incentives. As technology improves and battery prices decrease, the cost gap will likely decline, along with the planning and development of additional financial incentives.

To accelerate Maine’s transition to clean MHDVs, the Governor’s Energy Office, Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future, and Maine Department of Transportation led the development of the Clean Transportation Roadmap for MHDVs. The roadmap examines challenges and opportunities to decarbonize Maine’s MHDVs and establishes policy recommendations and an action plan to do so. The roadmap was developed by Cambridge Systematics with support from CALSTART, Cadmus, and Eastern Research Group. An executive summary and case studies developed as part of this roadmap are available below:

Maine Won't Wait Climate Action Plan

The original Maine Won’t Wait Climate Action Plan offers recommendations to meet Maine’s emissions reductions goals by accelerating the transition to electric vehicles. The 2024 update to the climate plan establishes new goals for clean transportation in Maine, including:

Accelerate Maine’s Transition to Light-Duty Electric and Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles

Achieve emissions-reduction goals by putting 150,000 light-duty battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles on the road in Maine by 2030.
Provide state rebates for new and used EV and PHEVs for low- and moderate- income drivers.
Install more than 680 additional EV charging ports statewide, including in underserved and rural communities.
Launch educational campaigns for Maine communities and support Maine’s first responders to be prepared to safely handle fires involving EV batteries.

Accelerate Maine’s Adoption of Zero-Emission Medium and Heavy-Duty Vehicles (MHDVs)

Support pilot projects for zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles including marine transportation to demonstrate and evaluate performance, reliability, and cost savings by 2028.
Launch fleet advisory services to help MHDV fleets adopt clean vehicles.
Develop a statewide incentive program for zero-emission MHDVs.
Advance utility and regulatory approaches that will accelerate the transition to zero-emission MHDVs.

Invest in Public, Active, and Shared Transportation

Develop strategies to increase transit ridership by 5% annually to reach or exceed pre-covid 19 ridership levels by 2029.
Increase access to, performance of, funding for, and use of shared and public transportation systems.
Support safe bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure in communities.
Explore the impact of greenhouse gas emissions from various forms of public, active, and shared transportation.
Continue to support universal access to high-speed, affordable internet service to support remote work and education.

Progress toward EV adoption and charging installation goals can be tracked on Recharge Maine’s dashboard, which also provides information on EV rebates.

Additional Information

Volkswagen Clean Air Act Civil Settlement

In 2017, then-Attorney General Mills secured $5.1 million for the state from legal action against Volkswagen and its affiliates for violating state environmental laws and emissions through their marketing and sales of light vehicles in Maine. The settlement specified that funds be used to reduce vehicle pollution, which kickstarted the significant build out of public EV charging stations and secured Maine’s first electric school buses.

Lead by Example

Per Governor Mills’ Executive Order; the state commits to leading by example by meeting decarbonization targets, including ensuring all new light-duty vehicles purchased for the state fleet are electric by 2030. Visit the Lead by Example webpage or review the current report outlining progress strategies.

Maine is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to a cleaner transportation system through ambitious goals, strategic planning, and key initiatives. By leveraging statutory mandates, collaborative efforts, and financial incentives, the state seeks to lead by example in achieving a sustainable and equitable transportation future.

Maine.gov

Clean Transportation