Effort to replenish Maine’s depleted EV incentive program could also reduce electricity costs

MAINE MORNING STAR • March 7, 2025

Despite wanting 150,000 light-duty electric vehicles on Maine roads by the start of the next decade, the state ran out of funding for a key incentive program last year. However, a bill introduced Thursday could help fill that gap. The Legislature’s Energy, Utilities and Technology held a public hearing for LD 585, which would amend language in the Efficiency Maine Trust Act to allow more flexibility in using certain program funds that are currently only used for subsidizing heat pumps. The bill would remove those limitations so certain revenue could be used for electric vehicles as well. This change could, in turn, reduce electricity costs for ratepayers.