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EV Rebates for Low- and Moderate-Income Mainers

Passenger's side view of two women in an electric vehicle.

Thousands of Mainers drive electric vehicles. They’re popular because they can cost less to drive and maintain, have various safety benefits, and provide both comfort and high performance. Click here to learn more about driving electric. 

Efficiency Maine offers rebates for low-income and moderate-income Mainers to purchase eligible electric vehicles paired with an off-peak charger to minimize impact on the electric grid.

Before purchasing the vehicle, you must first receive income verification from Efficiency Maine and purchase an off-peak charger in order to receive the rebate. Additionally, you are required to install the charger at home and connect it to the internet within 90 days of vehicle purchase.

Rebate Amounts

New
 Used
Low Income $8,000* $4,000*
Moderate Income $6,000* $3,000*

*Includes an additional $1,000 bonus that expires September 30, 2026.

How to Get a Rebate When Purchasing a Vehicle from a Dealership

Before Purchase

  1. Complete income-based eligibility verification form and receive income verification letter from Efficiency Maine. Please allow 5 business days for notification of eligibility.
  2. Purchase an off-peak charger through Efficiency Maine. 
  3. Find an eligible vehicle at a Participating Dealer.
  4. (Optional) Reference the EV Shopping Tool to find vehicle inventory at dealerships near you.

Day of Purchase

  1. Go to the Participating Dealer with the income verification letter from Efficiency Maine and off-peak charger order confirmation email.
  2. Fill out the rebate claim form with the dealer and purchase an eligible vehicle with the Efficiency Maine time-of-sale discount (amounts listed above).

After Purchase

  1. Install the off-peak charger at your home and connect it to the internet within 90 days of the vehicle purchase. Check out the vendor locator tool if you’re looking for an installer.
  2. Use the off-peak charger to avoid charging the vehicle from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. on weekdays. Retain ownership and registration of the vehicle in Maine for at least 36 months.

How to Get a Rebate for a Vehicle Purchased Direct-from-Manufacturer
(Polestar, Rivian, and Tesla ONLY)

Before Purchase

  1. Complete income-based eligibility verification form and receive income verification letter from Efficiency Maine. Please allow 5 business days for notification of eligibility.
  2. Purchase an off-peak charger through Efficiency Maine.
  3. Order an eligible vehicle directly from the manufacturer.
  4. (Optional) Submit the rebate hold request form to reserve rebate funds.

Day of Purchase

  1. Purchase the vehicle.

After Purchase

  1. Submit the rebate claim form within 60 days of the purchase date. Please allow up to 6 weeks for rebate processing.
  2. Install the off-peak charger at your home and connect it to the internet within 90 days of the vehicle purchase. Check out the vendor locator tool if you’re looking for an installer.
  3. Use the off-peak charger to avoid charging the vehicle from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. on weekdays. Retain ownership and registration of the vehicle in Maine for at least 36 months.

Rebate Eligibility

Vehicle

  • All-electric vehicle (a.k.a. battery electric vehicle)
    • Hybrid vehicles, including plug-in hybrids, are not eligible.
  • Vehicle must be purchased, not leased, from a Participating Dealer or manufacturer (Tesla, Rivian, and Polestar).
  • Vehicle must be titled in the name of the rebate recipient. The title may have an additional name (e.g., co-owner).

NEW

  • On the Eligible Vehicles List
  • Total MSRP or “sticker price,” including options and accessories, minus destination/delivery charges, no more than:
    • $80,000 for eligible pickup trucks and commercial vans
    • $55,000 for other eligible new vehicles.

USED

  • Vehicle final purchase price no more than $50,000
  • Model year no more than 6 years old (in 2026, must be model year 2020 or newer)
    • For complete list of all-electric vehicles sold within model years 2020-2026, see fueleconomy.gov. 
  • Odometer has no more than 72,000 miles

Participant

  • Individual Maine resident at least 18 years of age with a current, valid Maine driver’s license. A temporary license is acceptable.
  • Able to install an off-peak charger with Wi-Fi connection where the vehicle will be regularly parked (e.g., not limited to street parking only).
    • Charger installation average cost is $1,000 excluding hardware. Your installation costs may vary depending on site conditions and code requirements.
  • If the rebate recipient is not named on the income verification letter, the address on the title must match the address on the letter. 
  • Low Income – Household member participates in MaineCare, HEAP, SNAP, or TANF, and has an Efficiency Maine income verification letter (request one here).
  • Moderate Income – Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is less than $70,000 for individual tax filers, or $100,000 for joint filers, and has an Efficiency Maine income verification letter (request one here).
  • Limit of one rebate per individual (two rebates per household) per 36 months.

    Terms and Conditions

    Efficiency Maine does not warrant the performance of incentivized vehicles. Program and incentives subject to change or termination. Incomplete information may delay or disqualify your rebate. Please see the Program Manual for all terms and conditions and complete instructions for the rebate process.