Hydrogen

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The primary source of information for the hydrogen information is sourced from the US Department of Energy's Alternative Data Center.

 Hydrogen, when used in a fuel cell to provide electricity, is a zero tailpipe emissions alternative fuel produced from diverse energy sources. Currently, drivers of light-duty fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) can fuel up at retail stations in less than 5 minutes and obtain a driving range of more than 300 miles. Research and commercial efforts are under way to expand the limited hydrogen fueling infrastructure and increase the production of FCEVs. .

 Learn about hydrogen's use as an alternative fuel, production and distribution, and research and development. 

 Explore the benefits and considerations of using hydrogen as a vehicle fuel.

Explore the current lineup of alternative fuel vehicles. 

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)benefits.

Laws and Regulations

 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 the 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)

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 purchase 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.