By Barry Woods
Senior Director of eMobility at ReVision Energy and Board President at Plug In America

As range-related hurdles decrease and charging infrastructure increases, driving electric has never been easier.

NOT LONG AGO, I said that when the first electric pickup truck hits the market, my job promoting electric vehicles and charging infrastructure would be over. I should have said, to borrow from Winston Churchill, it would mark the end of the beginning. Let me take a moment to review where we are and where we are going, as our transition to electrified, clean transportation picks up speed.

Eighteen major vehicle manufacturers currently offer some type of all-electric plug-in vehicle in the light-duty/passenger category. An all-battery vehicle is a pure play electric, capturing all the benefits (and some of the drawbacks) that driving electric offers.

The benefits include the ability to avoid routine maintenance (such as oil changes and brake pad replacements) as well as much lower operating costs: Electricity prices, which vary by state, can be the equivalent of $1.50 per gallon for grid-provided electricity. If you have solar, that price can be lowered further once you achieve payback.

The drawbacks are becoming fewer over time, as the technology evolves and supporting infrastructure grows. There are two principal issues still to consider for those of us living in Northern New England: the range of the vehicle and the impact of cold weather on the battery, which reduces range. (These issues do not exist for plug-in hybrid vehicles, because they still have gas onboard, and these vehicles capture the full range of benefits attributed to electricity.)

Range-related hurdles are becoming less of an issue as battery size increases and the public DC Fast Charging network improves. The average all-electric vehicle now gets at least 250 miles of range, which is ample for normal driving habits, even if the vehicle loses 30-40% of range in extremely cold weather. With more public charging available, the cold weather impact on longer trips becomes more negligible. The current goal of most states is to build out a publicly funded, widespread, fast-charging network similar to Tesla’s existing supercharger network.

Like any major purchase, you need to realistically assess your needs and pocketbook. That said, I am confident there are—or soon will be—vehicles on the market to match most driving demands and budgets. The federal government has sweetened the deal further beginning in 2023 by eliminating the manufacturer cap (which originally phased out the credit for manufacturers selling over 200,000 vehicles), thus making rebates of up to $7,500 available for all cars priced below $55,000 and pickup trucks under $80,000. (Fine print: There are additional qualifying criteria that must be met by both the manufacturer and consumer, including income caps. See “Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) EV Incentives, Explained” at pluginamerica.org.)

Here’s some good news: The federal tax credit for electric vehicle purchase can be stacked onto any existing state or utility credits that might be available. Mainers can benefit from an additional $1,000-$7,500 in rebates from Efficiency Maine. The rebate range is dependent on income level and applies to new all-battery electric purchases that meet Efficiency Maine’s revised EV rebate guidelines. With possibly $15,000 worth of subsidy on the table, it’s worth the time to analyze these guidelines and look at the all-electric models out there.

Charging infrastructure is the flip side of the coin needed for successful vehicle deployment. Like every other state, Maine is poised to receive millions of dollars of federal subsidies over the next five years to build out our fast-charging network, in a not-so-subtle attempt to mimic Tesla’s version. With the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Act (NEVI) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the federal government has solidified funding for the largest infrastructure program to promote the adoption of electric vehicles in its history. Each state has now had its plan for these funds approved.

Under Maine’s NEVI Plan, the state will directly control allocation of $19 million in NEVI funds plus potential discretionary funds, bringing the total to $38 million for DC Fast Charging ($29 million) and level two charging ($7 million) programs, all designed to assist residents and travelers in accessing Maine’s public highways, communities and popular destinations. A large percentage of these funds are intended to ensure equitable access to EV charging across geographic areas, economy sectors and household income levels.

In addition, under the Inflation Reduction Act, EV charging infrastructure receives up to a 30% tax credit for residential and commercial installations, good through 2032, thereby ending the on-again, off-again nature of this credit that has lapsed repeatedly in the past. (For both the federal EV and EV charging tax credits, the IRS has yet to release guidance to assist consumers in verifying how to qualify.)

As public charging infrastructure grows over the next five years, people with a wider range of transportation needs will find the obstacles to ownership falling away, even as the benefits like cost savings, cleaner air and a better driving experience become broadly apparent.

Keep in mind that transportation is the source of over 50% of all greenhouse gas emissions in Maine (and in most other states). That’s why transportation electrification is a keystone strategy of the Maine Climate Council’s “Maine Won’t Wait” plan. This plan sets a goal of getting 213,000 light duty plug-in vehicles on the road by 2030 to reduce our state’s greenhouse gas emissions by 45%. For perspective, Maine currently has approximately 8,000 registered plug-in vehicles.

That gap may seem daunting. But consider that you likely just lived through the coolest summer of the rest of your life, based on the record-setting temperatures each year is bringing. As you reflect on the implications of that statement, remember that you are now empowered to seize control of one of the most dramatic technologies available to provide you a dose of cost savings, cleaner emissions and hopefulness. Behold, the all-electric vehicle!

This article appeared in the 2022 Green & Healthy Maine WINTER Guide. Subscribe today!

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