Driving Electric Vehicles in Maine: a Q&A with Efficiency Maine
In 2019, Efficiency Maine began several incentives to expand the use of electric vehicles (EVs) to help Mainers save on fuel and maintenance costs and reduce the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted into the atmosphere. The incentives focus on expanding the network of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Maine and providing rebates for the purchase of electric vehicles. Funding came from a settlement won by then-Attorney General Janet Mills in 2017 after taking legal action against Volkswagen (VW) and its affiliates, Audi AG and Porsche AG, for violating state environmental laws and emissions through their marketing and sales of light vehicles in Maine.
We sat down with Jennifer Brennan, the Program Manager for Electric Vehicle (EV) Initiatives at Efficiency Maine, to learn more about electric vehicles, the charging infrastructure, and available rebates.
SG: Efficiency Maine provides rebates for two types of electric vehicles. Can you explain the difference between the two types?
Jennifer: Electric vehicles can be powered by just an electric motor with a battery (a Battery Electric Vehicle or BEV) or by a combination of both an electric motor and a gas engine (a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle or PHEV). Most models of Battery Electric Vehicles can travel farther on electricity alone than PHEVs because they have larger batteries. Because BEVs do not have a fuel backup, when the battery is depleted, the only way to continue driving is to recharge the battery. PHEVs have a longer total driving range because they can be powered by gasoline in addition to the battery. We currently offer instant rebates at participating dealerships of $2,000 for BEVs and $1,000 for PHEVs, with enhanced rebates available for qualified low-income Maine residents, governmental entities and tribal governments.
SG: What are some of the advantages of electric vehicles?
Jennifer: There are lots of reasons to drive an EV. People are making the switch from gas cars because EVs are fun to drive, cheaper to operate and cleaner for the environment. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, it costs about half as much to drive an electric vehicle as a typical gasoline vehicle when considering fuel costs and ongoing maintenance. EVs have much simpler engines that are easier and cheaper to maintain over time. Finally, EVs have much lower carbon emissions: an all-electric vehicle charged with power from the New England grid emits 75% less carbon dioxide than a typical gasoline vehicle.
SG: One of the big concerns that we’ve heard about is that EVs have a limited range. How do you respond to Mainers who are worried that an EV won’t be able to meet their driving needs?
Jennifer: It’s true that some Battery Electric Vehicles have a shorter range than typical gas vehicles. However, more and more models are emerging with ranges well above 200 miles, exceeding the range of some gasoline-fueled vehicles. For a plug-in hybrid EV, once you’ve used up the electric range, it switches over to a gasoline engine. Those cars can have a combined range of over 600 miles with certain models. There is a growing variety of electric vehicles that can meet all types of driving needs.
Despite the rural nature of Maine, commuters can get to where they need to go while driving electric. A Portland resident commuting 100 miles a day to Augusta and back can travel entirely on battery power if they charge their car at night in their garage. Many people commute much shorter distances and may not need as large a battery range. Thanks to the expansion of charging networks in priority corridors throughout the state, drivers from Maine and neighboring states and provinces will be able to drive entirely electric across the state.
SG: Can you say a little bit more about the availability of charging stations?
Jennifer: Efficiency Maine is working hard to expand the network of publicly available charging stations throughout the state, from Kennebunk to Calais. This will help EV owners take longer trips and attract tourists from other states.
We’re in the process of installing 14 public fast chargers within key travel corridors — four at the West Gardiner Service Plaza have just opened to the public. Charge times for fast chargers range from 20 minutes to an hour. Efficiency Maine is also providing grants to help communities, nonprofits, and businesses throughout Maine install level 2 EV chargers, which take anywhere from three to eight hours to charge a vehicle. Level 2 chargers are ideal for workplaces or public sites where you are able to leave your car for a few hours while it charges. This year we’ve awarded grants to help install 47 chargers that will be available in 2020.
SG: What would you recommend for a reader interested in learning more?
Jennifer: Efficiency Maine’s website has lots of information about the different types of vehicles, how to access the rebates, participating EV dealerships and updates about our charging initiatives.
To learn more about electric vehicles, eligible models, participating dealers, and rebates, visit the Efficiency Maine website at https://www.efficiencymaine.com/ev/.
