Maine lawmakers advance effort to seek money for more EV subsidies

Maine lawmakers advance effort to seek money for more EV subsidies

Republicans, who have criticized state efforts to promote electric vehicle sales, opposed tapping a regional source of funding. Maine exhausted its money for EV rebates in November.

March 20, 2025

Stephen Singer

Portland Press Herald

EXCERPTS

With its money for electric vehicle rebates depleted, Maine’s quasi-state agency that promotes energy efficiency has won the first round of approval in the Legislature to seek funding from New England’s grid operator.

The Energy, Utilities and Technology Committee on Wednesday voted 7-5 along party lines to approve a measure authorizing Efficiency Maine Trust to pursue more than $2 million from an electricity market run by New England’s grid operator, ISO-New England, to help subsidize EV purchases by Maine car buyers.

Efficiency Maine Trust taps the ISO’s market and other funding sources for rebates to buyers of electric heat pumps. If approved by the Legislature, the bill will extend that to EVs.

The committee’s five Republicans opposed the bill while seven Democrats voted to send it to the Legislature.

“I do not believe that the demand for EVs justifies continued subsidized investments into the technology,” Rep. Mathew McIntyre, R-Lowell said. “I do not see this as a worthwhile or practical investment. I think this dog don’t hunt.”.........................................................

....................EV rebates are still available for low-income applicants with money from a settlement related to the New England Clean Energy Connect transmission line. Low-income Mainers — those who receive heating assistance; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance, or food stamps; Temporary Assistance for Needy Families; or MaineCare medical assistance — are eligible for EV incentives of between $2,500 and $7,500, depending on whether they’re buying a battery EV, a plug-in hybrid EV or a used vehicle.......................

.........................Stoddard acknowledged that Maine has an uphill climb in broadening EV use. The state’s cold climate can “pose a challenge” to EV battery range and electric chargers are separated by greater distances than in other, more urban states, he said.

“We have a heavier lift here to make these vehicles work well for us,” he said. “It’s not been growing as fast in Maine as in other parts of the country. But it has been steadily growing.”

Nearly 17,500 battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are on the road in Maine, according to an analysis by Atlas Public Policy. That’s about 12% of the state’s goal of 150,000 by 2030...................................

Full article at https://www.pressherald.com/2025/03/20/maine-lawmakers-advance-effo...

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