September 19, 2024
Maine Energy Rebates for EV Adoption
8 Min. Read
While the state of Maine recently decided against adopting Zero Emission Vehicle standards, residents of the state still have plenty of opportunities to embrace electric vehicles (EVs) with the benefits of state and local incentives.
Aimed at supporting the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, various energy rebates and savings programs are available for Maine EV drivers, helping make the switch to driving an EV even more rewarding than ever before.
From the Efficiency Maine rebate to time-of-use rates with participating utilities, EV owners across the state can enjoy lower costs while driving toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.
In this article, we’ll explore the various incentives and Maine energy rebates drivers across the state can look forward to in their decision to purchase and drive electric.
Maine Energy Rebates for EVs, Tax Credits and Incentives
In addition to federal incentives and savings, prospective EV owners in Maine can also save $2,000 or more in EV rebates on a new vehicle thanks to the Efficiency Maine program.
With additional rebates based on income and commercial incentives for qualifying businesses also available, this program is making the transition to electric vehicles more affordable for everyone.
These incentives can also be received at the point of purchase when buying an EV or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) from a participating dealership, helping reduce the upfront costs of buying a new vehicle.
As previously mentioned, these savings can also be stacked with EV charging rebates and tax credits available at the federal level, further increasing your total savings.
Any-Income Efficiency Maine Incentive
Regardless of income, you can qualify for a $2,000 incentive toward the purchase of a new EV or $1,000 for purchasing a new PHEV. Not all makes and models qualify for this incentive, so be sure to check the list of eligible EVs before making any purchases.
Income-Eligible Efficiency Maine Rebate
Efficiency Maine incentive offers enhanced incentives for qualifying low- and moderate-income residents, to help Mainers save even more.
If you file single or as head of household and your adjusted gross income (AGI) is under $70,000, you can qualify for the moderate-income rebate and receive $3,500 toward the purchase of a new EV or $2,000 toward a new PHEV. For those filing jointly, the AGI limit for this program is $100,000.
If you qualify for a program such as MaineCare, SNAP, TANF, or other income-based initiatives, you can receive a low-income Efficiency Maine EV rebate, which adds up to $7,500 for a new EV, $3,000 for a new PHEV, and $2,500 for a used EV.
Efficiency Maine Rebate for Businesses and Non-Profits
Businesses and non-profits can receive up to $2,000 toward the purchase of a new EV and up to $1,000 for a new PHEV.
For Maine businesses and organizations looking to purchase an electric cargo van, chassis cab, or cutaway, there is an incentive of up to $8,000 available.
Maine EV Charger Rebates & Tax Credits
Although there are currently no rebates or tax credits for directly purchasing or installing a Level 2 EV charger for residential use, EV owners can receive an annual payout of $50 for participating in the Efficiency Maine managed charging program, while commercial entities have the opportunity to apply for funding through Efficiency Maine.
Managed Charging with Efficiency Maine
Efficiency Maine’s Managed Charging for Electric Vehicles program aims to reduce the strain on the state’s electric grid by automatically delaying charging until the evening when demand for electricity tends to be at its lowest.
You can earn $50 for enrolling, plus an additional $50 annually for continuing to participate in the program each year.
It is important to note that in order to participate, you’ll need to install a qualifying charger and own an eligible EV model to ensure your EV can interact with the Efficiency Maine remote charging infrastructure.
Efficiency Maine and Commercial EV Charging Opportunities
Efficiency Maine periodically issues funding for public and commercial EV charging projects and you can find a list of any current and upcoming opportunities on Efficiency Maine’s website.
The program is currently accepting applications for multifamily EV charging projects, some workplace EV charging initiatives, community charging, and more.
EV Charger Rebates from Maine Utilities
No Maine utilities currently offer rebates or incentives for installing a home EV charger, however, residents can still benefit from federal EV charger savings and utilities are supporting EV drivers with other incentives, such as time-of-use (TOU) rates for EV charging.
EV Charging Rates in Maine
There are currently two utilities in the state of Maine that offer time-of-use rates, allowing you to reduce your energy bills by charging during off-peak hours when energy is often cheapest to produce and distribute.
Versant Power
Versant Power offers a residential and commercial time-of-use rate for customers located in the Bangor Hydro and Maine Public Service areas.
As a residential customer, you can enroll in the utility’s time-of-use Home Eco rate, paying $0.48 per kWh during winter on-peak hours and $0.47 per kWh in the summer, with off-peak and shoulder rates as low as $0.05 per kWh year-round.
On-peak hours are from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Shoulder hours last from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., while off-peak charging is available from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Versant Power also offers a similar program for commercial customers with the same schedule, but you will need to contact the utility directly for more information on current rates. In addition to Level 2 EV charging rates, Versant Power also provides a specialized rate for DC Fast charging (DCFC) stations.
Central Maine Power Co.
Central Maine Power Co. can help you save on EV charging with time-of-use rates of $0.13 per kWh during on-peak and shoulder times and only $0.06 per kWh during off-peak times.
On-peak hours are from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m, shoulder hours start at 12 p.m. and end at 4 p.m., and off-peak rates last from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m.
The utility’s commercial time-of-use rate follows the same schedule, but you’ll pay $0.12 per kWh during on-peak or shoulder hours and $0.05 per kWh during off-peak hours.
Public Charging Stations in Maine
In addition to issuing funding through the Efficiency Maine program, the state of Maine has been leveraging the $19 million in NEVI awards to develop and expand public EV charging infrastructure. This includes adding Level 3 EV chargers, also known as DCFC, along travel corridors to support EV drivers traveling longer distances throughout the state.
How Many Public EV Charging Stations Are in Maine?
As of 2024, Maine has 491 EV charging locations and over 1,000 ports available to EV drivers traveling through the state.
- Level 2 EV charging stations: 401
- Level 2 ports: 834
- DC Fast charger locations: 99
- DC Fast charging ports: 253
- Tesla Supercharger locations: 20
- Tesla Supercharger ports: 160
How Much Does Charging with Public EV Charging Stations Cost in Maine?
Prices for public EV charging will vary from one network to another, but you should also typically expect to pay more for DC Fast charging than for Level 2 EV charging.
Some locations may also charge for time spent charging instead of basing the cost on kWh used.
For example, using one of the Level 2 EV chargers located on the University of Maine’s campus will cost $1 to $1.50 per hour of charging, while charging at a hotel in Portland, Maine reportedly costs $0.15 per kWh.
Are There Free Public EV Charging Stations in Maine?
Free EV charging options are also available throughout the state. For example, the city of Kennebunk offers two free charging locations powered by solar panels, while Lee Auto Malls car dealerships offer free charging options at their locations.
Where Are Public Charging Stations Located for Electric Cars in Maine?
Public charging stations tend to be available near municipal buildings, in some state parks, and along busy travel corridors. Hotels and other destination businesses also often offer charging options.
You can use this EV charging station map to explore your options. Additionally, you can learn more about recent and upcoming projects so you’re aware of new locations as they are added.
More Maine Energy Rebates to Save on Electrification
In addition to offering Maine EV rebates, Efficiency Maine has several programs designed to help you save on other electrification technologies for your home.
For income-eligible customers, Efficiency Maine can cover up to 80% of the cost of installing a whole-home heat pump, up to $8,000. If you don’t meet the income requirements, this rebate can still cover up to $4,000, or 40% of the project cost
You can also get instant discounts when buying a heat pump water heater, with prices as low as $399 for a new unit.
Additional electrification programs include incentives for insulation, energy-efficient loans, and commercial electrification incentives.
Why Qmerit is the #1 EV Charger Installer in Maine
Mainers can take advantage of substantial savings on an EV thanks to the Efficiency Maine program and federal savings.
Additionally, utility customers of Versant Power and Central Maine Co. can enjoy significant savings by charging their electric vehicles during off-peak hours thanks to the time-of-use programs available to them.
Even without time-of-use billing, charging at home remains more affordable and convenient compared to public EV charging, and with Qmerit, at-home charging is more accessible than you think.
When it comes to EV charger installations, no one is more trusted or recommended than Qmerit.
As North America’s largest network of certified EV charger installers, every Qmerit electrician is fully licensed, background-checked, insured, and properly trained in EV charging station installation. You can rest easy knowing your installation is done right and backed by the Qmerit Peace of Mind Guarantee.
Recommended by automakers, EV charger manufacturers, utilities, businesses, and homeowners alike, and with over 450,000 EV charging stations installed across the U.S. and Canada, no one is more experienced in EV charger installation or other energy transition technologies than Qmerit.