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 Electricity can be used to power electric vehicles (EVs), including both all-electric vehicles, also called battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). These vehicles can charge their batteries by drawing electricity directly from the grid and other off-board electrical power sources. In contrast, hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) are fueled with liquid fuels, like gasoline, but use small batteries to recapture energy otherwise lost during braking (ultimately boosting fuel economy). PHEVs can use off-board electricity for power, which classifies them as an EV, but can also use liquid fuels and operate similar to a HEV if necessary. Using electricity to power vehicles can have significant energy security and emissions benefits. 

 Find information about using electricity to power vehicles, including production and distribution, and research and development.

 Explore the benefits and considerations of using electricity to power vehicles.

View the current list of EV trucks using our list. 

Maine Incentives

State Incentives Clean Transportation and Infrastructure Loans

Efficiency Maine administers the Maine Clean Energy and Sustainability Accelerator (Accelerator) to provide loans for qualified alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) projects, including the purchase of electric vehicles, fuel cell electric vehicles, zero emission vehicles (ZEVs), and associated vehicle charging and fueling infrastructure. Recipients must direct 40% of funds towards low-income communities and communities of color.

The Accelerator must also establish a financing program to provide low- and zero-interest loans to schools, municipalities, and non-profit organizations to purchase ZEVs and associated fueling infrastructure. The Accelerator must publish an annual report, including greenhouse gas emission reductions resulting from investments.

(Reference Legislative Document 1659, 2021 and Title 35-A, Section 2360)

Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station Funding

Efficiency Maine offers a rebate of $350 to government and non-profit entities for the purchase of Level 2 EV charging stations. Applicants are awarded one rebate per port and may receive a maximum of two rebates. EV charging stations must be purchased between December 21, 2020, an August 31, 2022. EV charging stations along specific roads and at locations that will likely experience frequent use will be prioritized.

The program is funded by Maine’s portion of the Volkswagen (VW) Environmental Mitigation Trust. For more information, including how to apply and priority site characteristics, see the Efficiency Maine Electric Vehicle Initiatives website.

(Reference Maine Revised Statutes Title 35-A, Section 10127)

Electric Vehicle (EV) Rebates

Efficiency Maine’s EV Accelerator provides rebates to Maine residents, businesses, government entities, and tribal governments for the purchase or lease of a new EV or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) at participating Maine dealerships. Rebate amounts are based on participant type.

 The program is funded by Maine’s portion of the Volkswagen (VW) Environmental Mitigation Trust. For more information, including eligible vehicles and preapproval requirements, see Efficiency Maine’s Electric Vehicle Initiatives website.

(Reference Maine Revised Statutes Title 35-A, Section 10126)

Electric Vehicle (EV) Rebates for Businesses

The Efficiency Maine EV Accelerator provides rebates to businesses for the purchase of new plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and EVs at participating dealerships. Rebate amounts are based on vehicle type:

Vehicle TypeRebate Amount

Rebates are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Businesses must have a fleet of at least five registered light-duty vehicles to be eligible for the light-duty rebates. For more information, including how to apply and eligibility requirements, see the Efficiency Maine EV Rebates website.

Laws and Regulations

Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station Promotion Requirement

Electric utilities must design rates to encourage EV charging station use and file rate schedule proposals with the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC). Utilities filed proposals with the PUC on November 1, 2021. Proposed EV charging stations must align with the Maine Won’t Wait climate framework.

(Reference Maine PUC Docket No. 2021-0198 and House Bill 245, 2021)

Electric Vehicle (EV) Deployment and Emissions Reduction Roadmap

The Governor’s Energy Office and the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future published the Maine Clean Transportation Roadmap(PDF) (Roadmap) in December 2021. The Roadmap identifies policies, programs, and regulatory changes needed to accelerate widespread adoption of EVs and other clean transportation technologies to meet Maine’s transportation emission reductions and EV deployment goals. The Roadmap also includes recommendations to accelerate the EV market in Maine by increasing EV charging station deployment, evaluating the impact of EVs on electric utilities and the grid, and prioritizing equitable adoption of EVs.

(Reference Executive Order 36, 2021)

Electric Vehicle (EV) Deployment and Fleet Acquisition Goals

The Maine Central Fleet Management Division and the Department of Public Safety must meet the following light-duty vehicle (LDV) fleet acquisition goals:

• By 2025, 50% of state fleet LDV acquisitions are zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs); and,
• By 2030, 100% of state fleet LDV acquisitions are ZEVs and PHEVs
• 
  

The state also established a goal of increasing statewide EV and PHEV registrations to 220,000 by 2030, and encourages county and municipal fleets to increase ZEV and PHEV purchases to 100% of all new LDV acquisitions by 2035.

(Reference Senate Bill 1579, 2022 and Title 5, Section 1830; Title 30-A, Sections 125, 311; and, Title 35-A, Section 10103)

Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure Development

Maine’s smart grid infrastructure policy promotes the development, implementation, availability, and use of smart grid technology. The policy includes the goal of integrating advanced electric storage and peak-reduction technologies, such as EVs, into the electric system.

(Reference Maine Revised Statutes Title 35-A, Section 3143)

Medium- and Heavy-Duty (MHD) Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Deployment Support

California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington (signatory states) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to support the deployment of medium- and heavy-duty (MHD) ZEVs through involvement in a Multi-State ZEV Task Force (Task Force).

In July 2022, the Task Force published a multi-state action plan(PDF) to support electrification of MHD vehicles. The action plan includes strategies and recommendations to accomplish the goals of the MOU, including limiting all new MHD vehicle sales in the signatory states to ZEVs by 2050, accelerating the deployment of MHD ZEVs, and ensuring MHD ZEV deployment also benefits disadvantaged communities.

For more information, see the Medium- and Heavy-Duty ZEVs: Action Plan Development Process website.

Provision for Establishment of Clean Fuel Vehicle Insurance Incentives

An insurer may credit or refund any portion of the premium charged for an insurance policy on a clean fuel vehicle in order to encourage its policyholders to use clean fuel vehicles, as long as insurance premiums on other vehicles are not increased to fund these credits or refunds. Clean fuels include, but are not limited to, natural gas, propane, hydrogen, alcohol fuels containing not less than 85% alcohol by volume, and electricity.

(Reference Maine Revised Statutes Title 24-A, Section 2303-B)

Public Utility Definition

An entity that sells electricity for the sole purpose of charging the battery of an electric vehicle (EV) is not defined or regulated as an electricity provider. An EV charging station operator may charge a submetered user only for kilowatt-hours used.

(Reference Maine Revised Statues Title 35-A Sections 313-A and 3201)

Recognition Program for Electric Vehicles (EVs)

The Governor’s Energy Office and the Efficiency Maine Trust will launch a clean vehicle recognition program. This program will recognize leading Maine dealerships, businesses, local governments, and other entities that are advancing the achievement of Maine’s transportation targets through EV sales, EV charging infrastructure, fleet conversions, and educational programming.

(Reference Executive Order 36, 2021)

Zero Emission School Bus Acquisition and Working Group

Beginning in 2035, 75% of school bus acquisitions must be zero-emission school buses. The Office of Policy Innovation and the Future will convene a working group to:

• Review different types of zero-emission school buses and the benefits and challenges associated with each technology;
• Analyze financing options for the acquisition of zero-emission school buses;
• Engage electric utilities and other private entities that are interested in partnering with school administrators to acquire zero-emission school buses;
• Plan for the deployment of charging infrastructure to support zero emission school buses; and,
• Assess training and education options for zero-emission school bus use and maintenance.
• 
  

The working group must report its findings in a plan to the Maine Joint Standing Committee on Transportation by December 7, 2022.

The Maine Board of Education may obtain loans or enter into a lease-purchase agreement to acquire zero-emission school buses. The term of the loan or lease purchase may be up to 15 years.

(Reference Senate Bill 1579, 2022 and Maine Revised Statutes Title 35-A, Section 5401 and Section 10104 )

Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Deployment Support

Maine joined California, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont in signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to support the deployment of ZEVs through involvement in a ZEV Program Implementation Task Force (Task Force). In May 2014, the Task Force published a ZEV Action Plan(PDF) (Plan) identifying 11 priority actions to accomplish the goals of the MOU, including deploying at least 3.3 million ZEVs and adequate fueling infrastructure within the signatory states by 2025. The Plan also includes a research agenda to inform future actions. On an annual basis, each state must report on the number of registered ZEVs, the number of public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and hydrogen fueling stations, and available information regarding workplace fueling for ZEVs.

In June 2018, the Task Force published a new ZEV Action Plan(PDF) for 2018-2021. Building on the 2014 Action Plan, the 2018 Action Plan makes recommendations for states and other key partners in five priority areas:

• Raising consumer awareness and interest in electric vehicle technology;
• Building out a reliable and convenient residential, workplace, and public charging/fueling infrastructure network;
• Continuing and improving access to consumer purchases and non-financial incentives;
• Expanding public and private sector fleet adoption; and
• Supporting dealership efforts to increase ZEV sales.

For more information, see the Multi-State ZEV Task Force website.

Utility/Private Incentives Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure Support

Maine utilities joined the National Electric Highway Coalition (NEHC), committing to create a network of direct current fast charging (DCFC) stations connecting major highway systems from the Atlantic Coast to the Pacific of the United States. NEHC utility members agree to ensure efficient and effective fast-charging deployment plans that enable long-distance EV travel, avoid duplication among coalition utilities, and complement existing corridor DCFC sites. For more information, including a list of participating utilities and states, see the NEHC website.