Maine has received a $15 million federal grant to install nearly 600 electric vehicle charging stations in more than 70 cities and towns, increasing the number available by more than 50%.
The Biden administration on Thursday announced the funding to pay for 62 DC Fast Charger ports and 520 Level 2 charging ports. The 582 ports will add to the 1,019 already in operation at 467 sites, according to Efficiency Maine, the quasi-state agency that develops energy efficiency programs.
Building out an EV charging network has been a critical part of the debate in Maine over establishing new rules requiring electric vehicle use. An “Advanced Clean Cars II” plan would require zero-emission vehicles to make up 43% of new car sales for 2028 models and 82% of new sales by model year 2032. Those include electric and fuel-cell vehicles, along with a partial credit for plug-in hybrids. Environmentalists are urging action to reduce tailpipe fumes that account for a large part of Maine’s greenhouse gas emissions.
The proposal has drawn criticism from car dealers, Republicans and others who say EVs are too costly for many Mainers and that EVs don’t have the charging range to drive across the state’s vast rural areas. The state Board of Environmental Protection postponed its vote on the proposal in December due to a storm, but now could take up the matter sometime after a new public comment period that ends Feb. 5.
https://www.pressherald.com/2024/01/11/maine-receives-15m-federal-grant-to-install-hundreds-of-electric-vehicle-chargers/The number of registered battery and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in Maine has increased by 33%, from 9,244 in 2022 to 12,369 at the end of last year, the governor’s office said.
Adam Lee, chairman of the board of Lee Auto Malls, said being able to charge electric vehicles when not at home is one of several factors that customers consider. His dealerships are selling only about five or six EVs a month, a small share of the 600 to 700 vehicles he sells, even with “very good incentives,” he said.
Until recently Lee said his dealerships had trouble getting inventory because of limited supply, though more are now being delivered.