Off-Peak Charging EV Rebates for Businesses and Nonprofits

Dozens of Maine businesses and nonprofits own electric vehicles. They’re popular because they can cost less to operate and maintain, produce fewer emissions than combustion vehicles, and provide on-site power. Click here to learn more about driving electric.

Efficiency Maine offers incentives for businesses and nonprofits to purchase eligible electric vehicles paired with an off-peak charger. The off-peak charger must be purchased before purchasing an eligible vehicle in order to receive the incentive. Additionally, the charger must be installed where the vehicle will be regularly parked. 

Incentive Amounts

In addition to Efficiency Maine’s incentive, businesses and nonprofits may be eligible for the Commercial Clean Vehicle federal tax credit. The Commercial Clean Vehicle Credit expires on 9/30/2025. See this IRS FAQ for details.

Incentive Eligibility

Electric Vehicle

• Vehicle must be purchased. 
  • Leased vehicles are not eligible.
  • Vehicle must be titled in the business’ name
• Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) – operates solely on electricity stored in a battery pack that energizes one or more electric motors and produces zero tailpipe emissions
  • Plug-in hybrid vehicles are not eligible.
• NEW
  • Eligible Vehicles List
  • Price of no more than the amounts listed below, where the price is defined as total MSRP or “sticker price,” including options and accessories, minus destination/delivery charges. No other discounts, deductions, credits, or rebates are to be counted in the eligibility determination calculation:
    • $80,000 for eligible pickup trucks and commercial vans
    • $55,000 for other eligible new vehicles.
• USED
  • U.S. DOE List of BEVs Model Years 2019-2025
  • Vehicle final purchase price no more than $40,000.
  • Model year no more than 6 years old (in 2025, must be model year 2019 or newer)
  • Odometer has no more than 72,000 miles

Participant

• A business entity or nonprofit entity in “Good Standing”, authorized to do business in the State of Maine, and with an office in the State of Maine.
• Purchased an off-peak charger that will be activated (connected to Wi-Fi) and installed where vehicle will be regularly parked within 90 days of vehicle purchase.
  • Organizations that are unable to install the off-peak charger where the vehicle will be garaged are ineligible.

Timeframe

• If vehicle is purchased from a Participating Dealership, incentive must be provided as an instant discount at the time of purchase.
• If vehicle is purchased directly from a manufacturer, rebate claim form must be submitted online within 60 days of vehicle purchase date.

How to Get a Rebate for a Vehicle Purchased at a Dealership

1. Purchase an off-peak charger through Efficiency Maine.
2. Go to a Participating Dealership with the off-peak charger order confirmation email.
3. Purchase an eligible vehicle with the Efficiency Maine time-of-sale discount (amounts listed above).
4. Install the off-peak charger at your home and connect it to Wi-Fi within 90 days of the vehicle purchase.
5. Use the off-peak charger to avoid charging the vehicle from 5:00-9:00p.m. on weekdays. Retain ownership and registration of vehicle in Maine for at least 36 months.

How to Get a Rebate for a Vehicle Purchased Direct-from-Manufacturer (Polestar, Rivian, and Tesla ONLY)

1. Purchase an off-peak charger through Efficiency Maine.
2. Order an eligible vehicle directly from the manufacturer and submit the rebate hold request form (optional).
3. Complete the vehicle purchase and submit the rebate claim form within 60 days of the purchase date.
4. Efficiency Maine will follow up via email if corrections are needed to rebate claim form. Once rebate is approved, Efficiency Maine will mail rebate check within two weeks.
5. Install the off-peak charger at your home and connect it to Wi-Fi within 90 days of the vehicle purchase.
6. Use the off-peak charger to avoid charging the vehicle from 5:00-9:00p.m. on weekdays. Retain ownership and registration of vehicle in Maine for at least 36 months.

Terms and Conditions

Efficiency Maine does not warrant the performance of incentivized vehicles. Program and incentives subject to change or termination. Please allow six weeks for rebate processing. Incomplete information may delay or disqualify your rebate. Please see the Program Manual for all terms and conditions and complete instructions for the rebate process.