The State of Maine has launched a $50 million initiative to build a comprehensive electric vehicle charging network spanning from Kittery to Fort Kent, addressing the range anxiety that officials say is the biggest barrier to EV adoption in a state where long driving distances are a fact of daily life.
The initiative, funded through a combination of federal infrastructure grants and state bond funds, will install fast-charging stations at intervals of no more than 50 miles along all major highway corridors, including Interstate 95, Route 1, the Maine Turnpike, and key east-west routes connecting inland communities to the coast.
“Maine’s geography means people drive long distances, and they need to know they can charge reliably along the way,” said Governor Janet Mills. “This network removes the guesswork and makes electric vehicles a practical option for Mainers in every part of the state.”
The plan calls for 75 new fast-charging locations, each equipped with at least four DC fast chargers capable of adding 100 miles of range in approximately 20 minutes. Stations will be located at existing businesses — gas stations, convenience stores, restaurants, and hotels — so drivers have services available while they charge.
Northern and western Maine, where charging infrastructure is currently sparse to nonexistent, will be prioritized. “If you’re driving from Portland to Caribou today in an electric car, you’re planning your route around charging stations,” said Maine Turnpike Authority director Peter Mills. “This network changes that.”
The initiative also includes a program to help municipalities, businesses, and multifamily housing developments install Level 2 chargers, which are slower but suitable for vehicles parked for several hours. Grants of up to $10,000 per charger are available through a competitive application process.
Maine’s EV adoption has grown steadily, with electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles now representing approximately 8 percent of new vehicle registrations. But the state lags behind other New England states, partly due to the charging infrastructure gap in rural areas.
Environmental advocates praised the initiative as essential for meeting Maine’s climate goals. “Transportation is Maine’s largest source of carbon emissions,” said Natural Resources Council of Maine director Lisa Pohlmann. “Electrifying our vehicles is one of the most impactful steps we can take.”
The first new charging stations are expected to be operational by late summer 2026.
