About Electric Vehicle Charging
Why Install an Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station?
Photo credit: Tom Moloughney
Charging in a garage or driveway is often convenient and inexpensive. For those reasons, EV drivers do most of their charging at home using a Level 1 or Level 2 charger.
For public host sites like businesses, municipalities, or multifamily residential complexes, installing an electric vehicle charging station can increase workplace loyalty, demonstrate sustainability commitments, strengthen relationships with customers, and attract new ones.
EV charging at a public site or workplace can help reduce the environmental impact and cost of employee and customer commuting while supporting the growth of EV fleets. Learn more about how businesses and property owners can benefit from installing EV chargers.
About EV Charging Stations
There are three primary types of charging equipment:
*Actual charge times will vary depending on charger amperage and acceptance rate of vehicle.
Funding for Public EV Charging Stations
Efficiency Maine periodically releases funding opportunities for the installation of EV charging stations at commercial and public properties. These incentives have enabled the deployment of hundreds of charging plugs across the state.
About Charging Connectors
The most common connector for Level 2 charging stations is the SAE J1772. This connector is compatible with all EVs in North America, although Tesla cars require a SAE J1772-to-Tesla adaptor that comes with the vehicle. Fast chargers have three types of plugs – Combined Charging System (CCS), CHAdeMO, and Tesla. Most non-Tesla EVs use CCS, with the exception of the Nissan LEAF, which uses CHAdeMO. Both plug types work the same way.
EV Charging Information for Drivers
- How to Select and Install a Home Electric Vehicle Charger: Useful information and tips for current and prospective EV owners from Efficiency Maine.
- How to Charge Your EV at Home and Away: Easy-to-use, practical information about how to charge your electric vehicle (EV) at home and away from home.
- PlugStar Home EV Charger Shopping Tool: Search home EV chargers by price, features, and charging level.
- Find a Residential Registered Vendor: Visit Efficiency Maine’s vendor locator tool and select “EV Chargers” to find professionals near you that can install residential EV chargers.
- Available EV Charging Apps: Information about websites and smartphone apps that can help EV owners with planning routes, locating EV charging stations, and paying for charging while on the road.
EV Charger Installation Information for Public and Commercial Sites
- Installing Level 2 Electric Vehicle Chargers: Guide to installing Level 2 EV chargers at commercial and public properties from Efficiency Maine.
- List of Maine EV Charging Service Providers: These companies have experience installing, supplying, and providing project management assistance for EV charging stations.
- Qualified Partners: Find an Efficiency Maine Qualified Partner near you with experience installing Level 2 chargers. Select “Electric Vehicle Chargers” on the list of service options.
- An Introduction to Electric Vehicle-Ready Buildings: Webinar offered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on March 24, 2021.
- US Access Board Design Recommendations for Accessible Electric Vehicle Charging Stations: Guidelines on installing EV charging stations that are accessible to and usable by people with disabilities.
- Costs Associated with Non-Residential Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment: Report on EV charging station costs from the U.S. Department of Energy.
- Charging Station Installation Analysis: Engineering and cost analysis for installing new EV charging stations at ten different locations in New York State.
- US Department of Energy’s EV Everywhere Workplace Charging Information: Resources for workplaces considering EV charging.
- Service Provider Application: Interested in being listed on Efficiency Maine’s website as a provider of EV charging system services? Please submit a completed application.
EV Charger Installation Information for Multi-Unit Dwellings (MUD)
- Alternative Fuels Data Center Multifamily Resources: Information for multifamily housing owners and residents.
- Drive Electric Vermont Multifamily Housing Guide: Information for installers and property owners.
- Multifamily Housing Charging Station Installation Handbook from Plug-in NC.
- Getting Apartments and Condos Ready for Plug-in Electric Vehicle Charging: Fact sheet for homeowners associations from Florida Power and Light.