Frequently Asked Questions

In Maine, driving an EV charged at home is like paying $1.95/gallon for gasoline, which can add up to hundreds of dollars a year in fuel savings.*

Additionally, electric vehicles require less maintenance than gasoline vehicles. EV powertrains have dozens of parts. Gasoline car powertrains have hundreds or thousands.

You can use the U.S. Department of Energy’s vehicle cost calculator tool to compare the operating costs of specific EV models versus gas vehicles.

* A 2026 Tesla Model Y (27kWh/100-mile) using $.24/kWh electricity would cost the same per mile as a 2025 Toyota RAV4 (30-mpg) using $1.95/gallon gasoline.

Charging time varies widely by vehicle and by charger. Most EV drivers install a charger at home so they can charge while they sleep and wake up every day to a charged battery. When driving long distances, most EV drivers fuel up at public DC (Direct Current) fast charging stations. Charging speeds at these stations vary, but generally EV drivers will charge for 5-45 minutes before getting back on the road. Learn more on the About Electric Vehicle Charging page.

Like gasoline vehicles, electric vehicles typically lose around 20% of their range in freezing temperatures. Models equipped with heat pumps retain significantly more range than models with other heating systems (Recurrent Auto).

Cold weather also impacts 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.

A cold-weather advantage of EVs is that the cabin can heat up faster than gasoline vehicles thanks to the dedicated heating system.

Unlike gasoline engines that eventually stop working, EV batteries lose range gradually (about 1.8% per year), but are less likely to fail (GeoTab).

Degradation occurs at faster rates in hotter climates, so batteries are expected to last longer in Maine than in warmer states (U.S. DOE).

Since most EVs still have their original battery warranty (typically eight years or 100,000 miles), battery replacements outside of warranty are rare. That said, when an out-of-warranty replacement does happen, current costs typically range from $5,000 to $16,000, similar to an engine replacement. Battery replacement costs are declining as batteries become cheaper (Recurrent Auto).

In most cases, home electric vehicle chargers can be installed without upgrades to 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. Learn more on the About Electric Vehicle Charging page.

The primary maintenance that electric vehicles need is wiper blades, wiper fluid, cabin air filters, and tires. Because EVs don’t have them, they never need service on their: fuel tanks, fuel lines, fuel pumps, fuel filters, fuel injectors, engine fans, timing belt, valves, cylinders, head gaskets, pistons, spark plugs, oil, oil filters, oil pumps, radiators, water pumps, exhaust manifolds, catalytic converters, mufflers, transmissions, camshafts, starters, or alternators.

Off-peak charging refers to charging when electricity is least expensive by pausing the charging session from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on weekdays. Off-peak chargers are permanently programmed to do this automatically. Others can be programmed to do this.

Charging off-peak can save EV owners hundreds of dollars per year. It can also help lower electric rates, improve grid reliability, and reduce pollution by using the cleanest, lowest-cost power plants and by using spare grid capacity when available.

It depends on the utility rate you sign up for. For customers who opt in to their utility’s “Time-of-Use” rates, off-peak electricity is considerably less expensive. For example, as of 1/1/2026, Central Maine Power’s delivery costs are about $0.14/kWh on the 24-hour/day “Rate A,” $0.07/kWh for Time-of-Use off peak, and $0.50/kWh for Time-of-Use on peak (Central Maine Power).

Efficiency Maine has a guide to installing Level 2 EV chargers at commercial and public properties that provides an overview of the process and possible requirements associated with evaluating a potential EV charging site.

There are full-service vendors who can assess the proposed site, install the charging unit, and collect charging payments via networking software.

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 can help you find electricians who 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 begin with installing one charger and add more if the site becomes popular and demand outstrips the ability of the chargers to satisfy users’ needs.

A networked charging station can communicate over the internet, allowing payment to be collected via credit card or smartphone app, and enabling 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 several factors to consider when 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 the About EV Charging webpage for more EV charging planning resources for 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.

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.