EVs in Maine
EVs in Maine
There are more models of EVs available in Maine than ever before and more are coming, including pickup trucks. Many models can take advantage of the Federal Tax Credit and Efficiency Maine offers instant rebates to help bring the cost of acquiring an EV down. The market for highly affordable pre-owned EVs is growing as well. There certainly is an EV to fit your needs and budget now or coming very soon!
Here are some resources to help you learn more about EVs, why they are so important for helping to fight climate change, and how to find the EV that will work for you:
Electric Vehicle Charging in Maine
The majority of EV charging is done by EV owners at home – overnight charging is easy and there are a variety of very affordable home chargers to choose from.
When out on the road, EV drivers in Maine are finding public charging stations popping up in more and more places. There are more fast chargers on major highways providing “fill ups” and many more Level 2 chargers in destination locations throughout Maine. Level 2 chargers generally provide about 25 miles of range per hour of charging, depending on your EV.
Basic information of types of chargers can be found here. And take a look at one of these maps to see the public chargers in your area and the rest of Maine and the country:
DOE - Alternate Fuels Data Center
The time it takes to charge up various EV models depends on the battery size and the “charge acceptance rate” of the specific EV, and the type of charger used. Here are a couple of charts, courtesy of Clipper Creek (one of the big manufacturers of chargers):
FOR ALL EASTERN & NORTHERN MAINE MUNICIPALITIES:
A Climate to Thrive (ACTT) is continuing a program started in 2018 to fund public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in Hancock, Penobscot, Washington and Aroostook counties. ACTT’s program provides financial support to enable municipalities, non-profits, schools and appropriate businesses to purchase and install public EV chargers. Examples of our installations to date range from Stonington, Ellsworth, Bangor, Calais and other Downeast towns, up to Danforth and Ivey’s Motor Lodge in Houlton.
EV chargers funded by this program are universal “Level 2” chargers, similar to those found in many public areas and able to be used by any EV, whether plug-in hybrid or all-electric. Level 2 chargers can provide about 25 miles of range for each hour of charging, depending on the EV’s battery size, and are ideal for locations where drivers can shop, patronize restaurants, hike or enjoy other area amenities while they charge.
Why install an EV charging station in your town?
Read this quote from the Machias Chamber of Commerce:
“Last fall, I talked to a couple who only came to Machias because the electric car charger was here. They stopped in and out of the stores; they purchased things; they got food, and then they went to a restaurant for dinner. That one couple left more money in this town than the electricity costs to run the charger for an entire year. If you figure in the number of people who didn’t stop in to tell us they were here—that’s major income for our town. This couple stopped in at the Chamber to say that ‘this charger is here, and this is why we’re here. Now, we can’t wait to come back to Machias!’”
— Machias Chamber of Commerce Director Sharon Mack
ACTT has already funded more than 30 public charging plugs in downtowns areas and a wide variety of other “destination” locations, and we are seeking additional locations for charging stations in eastern and northern Maine counties. Our funding for this program is limited, so we encourage interested parties to act soon.
ACTT EV Charger Program Notes:
● Level 2 EV chargers require 240V power and a 40A circuit breaker per connector (plug).
● It is recommended that a public charging station consist of 2 chargers/2 parking spaces.
● Chargers may be basic or networked. Basic chargers are free to the user, with the host paying for the electricity. Networked chargers allow the host to set a fee to use, and host pays for an annual network subscription.
● Costs for a 2 connector EV charging station can range from $2,000 to $12,000 depending on costs to provide sufficient electric power, mounting configuration and equipment chosen, and whether the chargers are basic or networked. ACTT funding can cover most or all of these costs.
● Examples of ACTT installed stations and costs can be found here.
● Charging stations funded through this program must be available to be used by the public and must be maintained for a minimum of 5 years.
Contact:
Gordon Beck, ACTT EV Project Manager: gordonmbeck@gmail.com
Beth Woolfolk, ACTT Project Coordinator: beth@aclimatetothrive.org
A quote from one of our donors:
“EV charging stations are a great way to help move the needle on carbon emissions in Maine. EVs are clearly here and more are coming. They’re clean transportation and give us a way to lower carbon emissions in our own communities. More public chargers will make owning and using an EV much easier and more convenient, and that will hopefully encourage more people to go electric.”