About Electric Vehicles
Benefits
- Driver satisfaction — Quick acceleration and a quiet drive.
- Save time and money — The cost of using electricity to power your car is less than the cost of gas. So skip all those trips to the gas station and pocket the savings.
- Reduced maintenance — Electric vehicles have simpler engines, requiring fewer annual repairs compared to cars with internal combustion engines, and BEVs require no oil changes.
- Energy independence — Reduce fuel dependence and exposure to fossil fuel price volatility.
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 BEV models 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.
PHEVs have a longer total driving range because they can be powered by the gasoline energy after their battery is exhausted, but PHEVs have shorter range on electricity alone.
Range
| Battery Range | Total Range | Fuel Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery Electric Vehicle | 100-400+ miles | 100-400+ miles | Electricity only |
| Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle | 15-60 miles | 200-600 miles* | Electricity and Gas |
* Combined electric and gasoline range.
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.
Electric Vehicle Rebates
Efficiency Maine offers instant rebates for eligible battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) at participating Maine car dealers. Eligible BEVs and PHEVs purchased direct from a manufacturer are eligible for mail-in rebates.
- Click here to find out more about instant rebates for eligible electric vehicles. Qualifying low- and moderate-income Mainers, Maine governmental entities, tribal governments, and select non-profits can receive enhanced rebates up to $7,500.
- EV Tax Credits and Other Incentives:
- Federal tax credit up to $7,500 for electric vehicles.
- Additional instant rebates from car manufacturers may be available. Check with your local EV dealer for more information.
EV Financial Example
| Low Income | Moderate Income | Any Income | |
| Vehicle MSRP (BEV example) | $40,000 | $40,000 | $40,000 |
| Efficiency Maine Rebate | -$7,500 | -$3,500 | -$2,000 |
| Federal Tax Credit* | -$7,500 | -$7,500 | -$7,500 |
| Vehicle Net Cost | $25,000 | $29,000 | $30,500 |
| Typical fuel savings vs. gasoline: ~$1,000 / year | |||
* See IRS website for eligibility details.