Used Electric Vehicle Shopping Tips
Below are tips for finding a used EV in Maine. As a reminder, Efficiency Maine rebates for used Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) are only available for low-income customers who have been verified online based on participation in the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or MaineCare.
To qualify for an Efficiency Maine rebate, the used electric vehicle must be a model year 2015 or newer, purchased from a participating Maine dealer, and have at least 20 miles of electric range. In addition to Efficiency Maine’s rebates, customers may be eligible for a used clean vehicle federal tax credit.
Online shopping tools such as Autotrader, Cars.com, and CarGurus can be useful for tracking down vehicles available at dealerships in your area. Online dealers such as Carvana and Vroom may also have good EV options, but keep in mind that these vehicles are not eligible for Efficiency Maine’s used EV rebates.
When you find an EV that you are interested in purchasing, make sure to evaluate the condition of the battery. You can generally check this using the vehicle’s built-in software, but can also use third-party tools such as Recurrent Auto.
Additional Tips
- Get verified for Efficiency Maine’s income-eligible rebates before you start shopping. Pre-approval is valid for one year.
- Be prepared to travel. Due to low inventory, you may need to travel further than you would expect to find a car. Keep in mind that vehicles purchased outside the state of Maine or from private parties are not eligible for Efficiency Maine’s used EV rebates.
- Many EVs sell quickly. You may need to join a waiting list at a dealership for a vehicle that fits your needs and budget.