Frequently Asked Questions

Electric vehicles are generally less expensive to fuel than gasoline vehicles. In Maine, the standard residential cost of a kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity is 23.4 cents ($0.234) as of May 1, 2025. If your EV model consumes 35 kWh per 100 miles (such as the Ford Mustang Mach-e and Hyundai Ioniq 5), then it will cost about $8.20 for 100 miles or 8.2 cents per mile. In comparison, a gasoline vehicle that gets 25 miles per gallon, at a gas price of $3.25 per gallon, will cost $13.00 to drive 100 miles or about 13 cents per mile. If you’re driving 12,000 miles per year, that comes out to over $500 in savings annually.

Additionally, electric motors require less maintenance than combustion engines. For example, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) never need an oil change.

Argonne National Laboratory’s Local Fuel Savings Calculator can help you calculate general savings of going electric based on where you live. You can also use the U.S. Department of Energy’s vehicle cost calculator tool to compare the operating costs of specific EV models versus gas vehicles.

In most cases, EV drivers charge their vehicle at home every night just like a smartphone. This means that drivers rarely need to wait for their vehicle to charge. That said, when driving long distances, most EV drivers will fuel up at public DC (Direct Current) fast charging stations. Charging speeds at these stations vary, but generally EV drivers will charge for 15-45 minutes before getting back on the road. Learn more on the About Electric Vehicle Charging page.

Recent analysis by Recurrent Auto found that popular EV models average 80% of their electric range in freezing temperatures. EV shoppers should keep in mind that models equipped with heat pumps retain significantly more range than models with other heating systems.

Cold weather can also impact EV charging speeds, particularly at DC fast chargers. However, most EVs have automatic battery preconditioning that mitigates most of this impact when traveling long distances.

Modern EV batteries are expected to last 8-15 years, depending on climate, driving and charging patterns, battery chemistry, and vehicle thermal system (U.S. DOE). Batteries do slowly lose usable range, but the loss is usually negligible; about 1.8% per year for an average vehicle. Notably, degradation occurs at faster rates in hotter climates, so batteries hold up better in Maine than more southern states.

In most cases, home electric vehicle chargers can be installed without upgrading the existing electrical panel. If electrical capacity is limited, you can install a charger equipped with load management features to ensure the charger does not exceed the panel capacity. Consult with an electrician on our Residential Registered Vendor list to determine the right solution for your home.

Electric motors require much less maintenance and repairs compared to combustion engines. Since electric motors don’t use oil or transmission fluids, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) have no oil to change, while plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) require infrequent oil changes. Both BEVs and PHEVs also have regenerative braking, which significantly reduces wear on brakes. On the other hand, since EVs are heavier than gas counterparts, they often require more frequent tire replacements.

The term “peak” refers to the time of day when there is the most demand for electricity from the electrical grid. In Maine, the peak hours are 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on weekdays.  

“Off-peak charging” refers to charging an electric vehicle during non-peak hours. 

Charging off-peak helps lower electric rates for all Mainers and reduces pollution by using the cleanest, lowest-cost power plants and using spare grid capacity when available.  

At the grid level, electricity is cheaper off-peak than on-peak. However, most Mainers pay the same price for electricity at all times of the day. Some utilities offer “time-of-use” rates that are cheaper off-peak and more expensive on-peak. Contact your utility to see if their time-of-use rates are right for you. 

Efficiency Maine offers “rebate holds” for vehicles that have been ordered with a paid deposit but will not be delivered until a later date. A rebate hold allows Efficiency Maine to reserve funds for the rebate(s) for 365 days or until the purchase is completed, whichever comes sooner.

• If you ordered the vehicle through a Participating Dealer, ask the dealer to submit the rebate hold request.
• If you ordered the vehicle directly from the manufacturer, you can submit a rebate hold request using the Direct from Manufacturer Rebate Hold Request Form.

See EV Program Manual for full details about rebate holds.

Efficiency Maine has a guide to installing Level 2 EV chargers at commercial and public properties.

To start, you’ll need to decide how you’ll purchase and install the equipment. There are full-service vendors that can assess the site, install the charging unit, and collect charging payments via their networking software. Efficiency Maine lists many such vendors on our website.

Alternatively, you can directly purchase the charging equipment and work with an electrician or local installer to complete your project. Efficiency Maine’s Qualified Partner locator tool allows you to find electricians that can install EV charging equipment.

Most EV charging locations have between two and six charging ports. There is no simple formula to determine the appropriate number of charging ports for a given location. Some sites choose to start with one charger and add more if demand is high. You can consult an EV charging service provider for detailed assistance on this topic.

A networked charging station can communicate over the internet, allowing payment to be collected via credit card or smartphone app, and some remote servicing and troubleshooting. In exchange for these services, the station host pays monthly networking fees. Networked stations are more complex to install and more expensive than non-networked stations. For example, a non-networked Level 2 charger could cost $600 to several thousand dollars, whereas a networked Level 2 charger starts at around $1,800 and can cost as much as $10,000.

There are many considerations in choosing a site for installing an EV charger. You will want to consider traffic volume and potential usage, proximity of the charging unit to the electrical box and power supply (to reduce the need for potential trenching and laying conduit), and parking availability. Other site considerations include safety, such as adequate lighting and visibility, and protection from the weather.

The type of charger also matters. For Level 3 DC Fast Chargers, customers will be charging for a relatively short amount of time and so generally desire gas station amenities such as restrooms and snacks. Level 2 chargers, meanwhile, are better located near activities that occupy several hours, such as parks, playgrounds, and movie theaters.

Multi-unit dwellings (MUDs), condos, and apartment buildings present unique challenges to installing chargers to serve residents. While home EV charging is by far the most convenient and cost-effective way for EV drivers to charge, it can be difficult to determine who pays for the charging infrastructure and the use of the electricity. 

• If the chargers are designated to particular residents (more common with condos), it is usually simplest for the residents who own EVs to pay for the equipment and installation.
• If the chargers are shared, a system for the users to pay for electricity may be needed. Some options are:
  • Traditional networked chargers where users pay each time they use the charger with a credit card, RFID card, or app
  • Membership-based networking system where users are charged to an online account
  • Basic non-networked chargers with a monthly user fee assessed to residents who have EVs

Visit our About EV Charging page for more resources for planning EV charging at multi-unit dwellings.

Efficiency Maine periodically releases grant opportunities for the installation of public EV chargers. For current grant opportunities, visit the Opportunities page. To receive email notifications of future grant opportunities, subscribe to Electric Vehicle Notices.

Federal tax credits may also be available to offset the cost of your EV charging project.

Efficiency Maine does not offer rebates to individuals purchasing electric bikes or scooters. In March 2024, Efficiency Maine awarded funding to Lewiston Housing Authority, Portland Housing Authority, and South Portland Housing Authority to implement electric bike pilots. Efficiency Maine will evaluate the results of these pilots to inform future program offerings.