Electric Vehicle Incentives for Low-Income Mainers

Thousands of Mainers own electric vehicles. They’re popular because they are fun to drive, cost less to operate, and emit fewer pollutants than internal combustion engine (gasoline) vehicles. Click here to learn more about driving electric. 

Efficiency Maine offers vehicle purchase and lease incentives for qualified low-income Mainers.

Income verification from Efficiency Maine must be completed before purchase or lease of an eligible vehicle. Customers must demonstrate participation in Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or MaineCare.

Incentives up to $7,500

Note: There is a lifetime limit of one income-based EV incentive per customer, two income-based incentives per household. Individuals that have previously received a low-income or moderate-income Efficiency Maine EV rebate cannot receive another.

In addition to Efficiency Maine’s incentive, individuals may be eligible for a federal tax credit up to $7,500.

Efficiency Maine Incentive Eligibility

Electric Vehicle

• Vehicle must have a 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, and no other discounts, deductions, credits, or rebates are to be counted in the eligibility determination calculation:
  • $80,000 in the case of an eligible pickup truck or commercial van
  • $55,000 for other eligible new vehicles.
• If used, vehicle final purchase price must be no more than $40,000.
• If used, vehicle must be purchased from a Participating Dealer.
  • Used vehicles purchased directly from a manufacturer (Polestar, Rivian, Tesla) are not eligible for an Efficiency Maine rebate.
• If leased, initial lease term must be at least 36 months.

Eligible Vehicles List

Participant

• Individual Maine resident at least 18 years of age with a current, valid Maine driver’s license. A temporary license is acceptable.
• Received a low-income eligibility verification email and/or letter from Efficiency Maine before purchasing or leasing the vehicle.
  • If the letter is addressed to a member of the participant’s household, the address on the letter must match the address of the participant’s driver’s license.
• Has not previously received a low-income or moderate-income Efficiency Maine electric vehicle rebate.

Timeframe

• Low-income eligibility verification completed less than one year before vehicle purchase or lease.
• For Direct from Manufacturer rebates, rebate claim form submitted online or postmarked within 60 days of EV purchase or lease date.

How to Get an Instant Discount at a Dealership

1. Complete income-based eligibility verification form and receive confirmation of eligibility from Efficiency Maine via email or postal mail.
2. Review the Eligible Vehicles.
3. Go to a Participating Dealership.
4. Show Participating Dealer the low-income verification email and/or letter from Efficiency Maine.
5. Purchase or lease an eligible vehicle and receive an instant discount (amounts listed above).

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

1. Complete income-based eligibility verification form and receive confirmation of eligibility from Efficiency Maine via email or postal mail.
2. Purchase or lease a NEW eligible vehicle directly from a manufacturer (Polestar, Rivian, or Tesla).
3. Submit rebate claim form or postmark it within 60 days of EV purchase or lease date.

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 EV Program Manual for all terms and conditions and complete instructions for the rebate process.