High-speed EV charger network to extend eastward to Acadia
File PHOTO / MAUREEN MILLIKEN
Efficiency Maine announced seven new grants to place high-speed electric vehicle chargers that connect the network from southern New England and Maine’s western border to Bangor, mid-coast Maine and Acadia National Park.
Efficiency Maine in Augusta announced seven new grants to place high-speed electric vehicle chargers that connect the network from southern New England and Maine’s western border to Bangor, midcoast Maine and Acadia National Park.
The stations will be placed at strategic locations serving communities in central and eastern Maine between Lewiston-Auburn and Bangor on Interstate 95, and from Belfast to Ellsworth along coastal U.S. Route 1, according to a news release.
Two high-speed chargers, each with at least 50 kilowatts in capacity and universally accessible (offering both CHAdeMO and CCS plugs) will be installed over the next year at each of the following businesses:
• Hannaford Supermarket, on High Street, Ellsworth (project owned by Revision Energy)
• Hannaford Supermarket, on Lincolnville Avenue, Belfast (project owned by Revision Energy)
• Irving Oil, on Odlin Road, Bangor
• Irving Oil, on Moosehead Trail, Newport
• Irving Oil, on Center Street, Fairfield
• Irving Oil, on Washington Street, Auburn
• Petronino Corp. (On the Way), on Lisbon Street, Lewiston
Further expansion
The installations will fully commit the balance of the $3.15 million in Volkswagen settlement funds that Maine dedicated to EV infrastructure.
In 2018, the Maine Department of Transportation selected Efficiency Maine to administer the EV infrastructure initiative with the settlement funds resulting from a successful lawsuit against VW for violation of environmental protection laws.
Further expansion of the high-speed network, including to northern Maine and farther Downeast, is planned over the next several years.
“Over the last three years, Efficiency Maine has used Volkswagen settlement funds to install electric vehicle chargers in communities across Maine, expanding cleaner transportation options for Maine people, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and fighting climate change,” Gov. Janet Mills said in the release.
“As electric vehicles become more common, Maine must continue to expand its charging network, which is why I am proposing $8 million through the Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan for EV charging infrastructure.”
Making it easier to charge an EV anywhere in Maine will strengthen the economy and reduce harmful carbon emissions, she said.
“It’s significant that we were able to attract these high quality, well-trafficked locations within 30 miles of other fast chargers, and that some of the major gas stations are diversifying their business strategies by adding EV charging,” said Michael Stoddard, executive director of the Efficiency Maine Trust.
“When we get gas stations and grocery stores playing host to EV chargers, we know that the sites are strategically located, the owners know how to cater to drivers, and the transition to electric is getting serious.”
This initiative has been developed by Efficiency Maine in collaboration with the governor’s office and the Maine Department of Transportation to align on the state’s progress toward EV adoption.
“At the Maine Department of Transportation, our partnership with the Efficiency Maine Trust is helping find real solutions to the challenges that arise as drivers look to transition to electric vehicles,” said Bruce Van Note, commissioner of MaineDOT.
Installation of the new stations will begin to fill in the gaps in central and eastern Maine, he added.
Bidding for locations
Bidding for the latest round of grants attracted eight companies that proposed 20 different locations.
Among them, Irving Oil was chosen to install fast-charging stations at four locations for their strategic value and convenience to drivers.
Irving Oil is the leading EV fast-charging host in Atlantic Canada, said Tyler McLaughlin, the company’s director of retail operations.
“We will continue to seek out new opportunities to support our customers making the transition to zero-emissions vehicles,” McLaughlin said.
Petronino Corp., the owner of the On the Way convenience store on Lisbon Street in Lewiston, was also awarded a grant.
“As the world evolves, it’s important to offer our customers clean transportation options in our efforts to continue to satisfy the needs of the diverse clientele of our On the Way convenience store,” said Salim Naous, the company’s president.
Two of the new charger systems will be owned and operated by ReVision Energy.
“There are more and more EVs on the road all the time and both year-round residents and visitors to the midcoast region will benefit from having additional charging options to choose from conveniently located in places they already visit,” said Fortunat Mueller, ReVision’s co-founder and president.
First charger round
In 2018, Efficiency Maine awarded a grant to ChargePoint, an electric vehicle infrastructure company based in Campbell, Calif., to install high-speed charging for the first phase of the initiative.
A high-speed charger typically can add 200 to 250 miles of range per hour.
ChargePoint installed and now operates high-speed EV chargers (also called “Level 3” chargers or “DC fast chargers”) on the Maine Turnpike at the Kennebunk plazas (northbound and southbound) and the West Gardiner plaza, as well as in Jackman, Skowhegan, Farmington and North Windham.
The first phase of establishing Maine’s universally accessible, fast-charger network was completed this past April.
Second charger round
Efficiency Maine issued a request for proposals on Feb. 5 for the additional stations. Awards were announced May 14.
In addition to installing the chargers, Efficiency Maine also is supporting the expansion of lower-cost, public Level 2 chargers in other strategic locations across the state. Level 2 chargers are most commonly installed in homes, as well as at workplaces and public spaces. These units can provide between 14 and 35 miles of range per hour and are often used when a car can be left plugged in for longer periods of time. All Level 2 chargers have a universal “J” plug and connect to all electric vehicle models.
Adding publicly available Level 2 chargers improves local access and destination charging across the state. These charger plugs serve commuters, local drivers, businesspeople driving to and from meetings and appointments, and overnight guests.
To date, Efficiency Maine has helped fund more than 140 new level 2 plugs in Maine’s public EV charging network, which has now grown to a total of 120 DC high-speed charging plugs and 375 Level 2 “community” plugs.
Expand EV adoption
Efficiency Maine also administers programs to expand adoption of electric vehicles in Maine. The programs provide instant rebates for eligible battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles at participating car dealers in Maine, as well as grants to fund the installation of EV charging infrastructure in public areas, workplaces and multi-unit dwellings in Maine.
Click here to learn more about Efficiency Maine’s EV programs.
Drivers also can find a charging station locator on the Efficiency Maine website or by using a variety of smartphone apps.
Earlier this year, Mills signed an executive order to accelerate Maine's reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from transportation and to increase the number of EVs on the road by 2030.
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