By Erica Bartlett

You might have noticed more electric vehicles (EVs) on the road in Maine over the past few years, as well as charging stations at grocery stores, businesses, and parking garages. In fact, with interest in EVs is on the rise, the number of electric vehicle drivers doubled from 2014 to 2018 (the most recent data available). And nearly 3,000 have been registered in Maine in the past year.

Those numbers are only expected to increase now that Mainers can take advantage of rebates for electric vehicles purchased or leased in Maine. As of March 13, Maine had already provided 367 electric vehicle rebates for a variety of electric vehicles. These rebates are funded by the Volkswagen settlement and are managed by Efficiency Maine.

When you combine that with federal rebates and lower costs for running an EV, now is a great time to make the switch from gas-powered cars.

How Much is the Rebate?

The amount of the rebate depends on which type of vehicle you get. For battery electric vehicles (BEVs), individuals, owners, and businesses are eligible for a $2,000 rebate.

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) qualify for a $1,000 rebate. It’s important to remember that PHEVs are different than regular hybrid vehicles, which don’t have the plug-in option, and that regular hybrids don’t qualify for this rebate.

For an eligible purchase or lease, this is an instant rebate, meaning it’s immediately deducted from the cost of the vehicle at the dealership without additional paperwork. It also applies whether you finance the vehicle or purchase it outright.

What Vehicles Qualify?

To qualify, the vehicle has to be purchased or leased after August 29, 2019, from a participating dealership. Dealerships that offer the EV Accelerator Rebates cover much of southern Maine and also range up to Waterville, Rockland, and Bangor. You can view the dealerships on the Efficiency Maine website.

Additionally, the BEV or PHEV needs to be in the list of eligible vehicles identified by Efficiency Maine. This list will be updated as more EVs come on the market, and over the next couple of years, the options are expected to increase and include larger vehicles such as trucks and SUVs.

Where Will You Charge Up?

In the past, some people have been concerned about purchasing EVs due to limited battery range and lack of public charging stations, but that’s becoming much less of a problem.

Many of the qualified vehicles have a range of over 200 miles on a full battery charge, and since the majority of EV owners charge their cars at home, daily commutes and travel are easily covered.

Homeowners can use the Level 1 charger that typically comes with the EV and plug it into a standard outlet of 120V, which charges the car in approximately 8-15 hours. Another option is installing a Level 2 charger, which has 240V and can charge an EV in about 3-10 hours.

Additionally, Efficiency Maine is supporting the expansion of the EV charging infrastructure in Maine by installing public charging stations. These stations will have options for Level 2 charging and Level 3 charging, also known as DC Fast Charging. Level 3 is the fastest option and can charge an EV in approximately 20 minutes to an hour.

Increased public access is crucial for those who don’t have access to a charger at home or work, and to support those traveling longer distances.

Now is the Time for an Electric Vehicle

With the new state rebates, the cost of electric vehicles is more manageable than ever, and new initiatives for charging stations will keep you going when you travel throughout the state.

For Mainers looking for a way to help the environment and have a reliable, low-maintenance vehicle that’s fun to drive, now is the perfect time to make the switch to an EV.

Looking for an EV retailer?

Click here for a list of participating rebate dealers from Efficiency Maine.

Looking for an electrician to install a home charger?

Click here for a list of qualified partners from Efficiency Maine.

This article first appeared in the Spring/Summer 2020 edition of Green & Healthy Maine HOMES. Subscribe today!