About Electric Vehicles
Benefits
- Cost less to fuel — In Maine, using electricity to drive is about 33% cheaper than using gasoline.*
- More fun to drive — EVs have quick, smooth acceleration and a quiet ride.
- Less service and maintenance — All-electric vehicles have far fewer parts and require little to no maintenance.
- Cleaner for the air — All-electric vehicles charged in Maine produce less than one-sixth the carbon dioxide of a typical gasoline vehicle.**
- Energy independence — Approximately 50% of electricity consumed in Maine comes from local renewable resources.**
Types of Electric Vehicles
Electric vehicles can be solely powered by 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 BEVs can travel farther on electricity alone than PHEVs because they have larger batteries. However, BEVs do not have a backup gas engine like PHEVs do, so when the battery is exhausted, the only way to continue driving is to recharge the battery.
Range
| Electric Range | Total Range | Fuel Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery Electric Vehicle | 100-500 miles | 100-500 miles | Electricity only |
| Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle | 15-60 miles | 200-600 miles | Electricity and Gas |
Many electric vehicle owners charge at home, and charging stations are available at more and more places in Maine. Click here for more information on electric vehicle charging at home and around Maine.
*For driving 12,000 miles/year: EVs cost $870/year at $0.25/kWh, 3.4 mile/kWh. Gasoline cars cost $1,667/year at $3.06/gallon, 22 MPG. Your cost may vary.
**According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center emissions calculator, using 2022 Energy Information Administration data (afdc.energy.gov/vehicles/electric-emissions).