Jennifer Brennan, Efficiency Maine’s Program Manager for EV Initiatives, was the guest speaker on Tuesday, February 11th. She gave a presentation about Efficiency Maine’s EV Accelerator rebate program and efforts to expand EV charging infrastructure across the state.

Funded by money from the VW settlement, the State of Maine has rebates and incentives worth $2,000 for consumers who purchase new electric cars. Maine residents and business owners purchasing or leasing a qualifying electric vehicle may be eligible for an instant rebate of up to $2,000. The program plans to invest an estimated $2.25 million dollars in electric vehicle purchases and leases by Mainers.

 

She gave an informative talk about charging stations, too, including at home plug in options. Efficiency Maine has contracted with ChargePoint Inc. to install DC Fast Charging and Level 2 charging stations along a number of pre-identified travel corridors. These include I-95 from Kittery to Bangor, I-295 from Portland to W. Gardiner, Route 1 from Freeport to Ellsworth, Route 2 from New Hampshire (Bethel) to Newport, Route 3 – from Bangor to Bar Harbor, Route 27 from New Hampshire (Coburn Gore) to Boothbay Harbor, Route 201 from Quebec (at Jackman) to I-95, and Route 302 from New Hampshire (Fryeburg) to I-95/295. As of February 2020, six of the seven sites have been installed and are operational with the remaining site to be installed by May 2020.