By Robin Millward, Member at large of the Sustainability Committee
Drive along Shore Road on a stormy morning and you can see what’s at stake firsthand: eroding shorelines, battered infrastructure, homes and businesses bracing against increasingly intense weather. Climate change is no abstraction here in Ogunquit. And one of the most direct things we can do about it is rethink how we get around.
According to Maine Won’t Wait – Maine Climate Council’s Annual Report FY 2025, 49% of carbon emissions from fossil fuels in Maine come from transportation — passenger cars and trucks covering long distances in a rural state where “range anxiety” has historically weighed against switching to electric vehicles. Fossil fuels are both a finite resource and a significant driver of greenhouse gases. The case for change is clear.
Maine has set itself a target of reducing greenhouse gases by 45% by 2030 and by 80% by 2050. Meeting those targets means changing how individuals and businesses move — and that requires building the effective, reliable infrastructure that gives people confidence in electric and hybrid (EV/PHEV) vehicles.
Transitioning to EVs
The numbers are moving in the right direction. Between 2020 and 2025, electric and hybrid vehicles on Maine roads increased from 4,268 to 20,348 — nearly a fivefold increase in five years. Efficiency Maine Trust supported that growth by issuing rebates for over 6,250 EVs and by standardizing a discounted off-peak home charger program, originally launched as a pilot. Federal tax credits for EV purchases have since been cut, but rebates remain available for low- and moderate-income Mainers through Efficiency Maine.
On the infrastructure side, Recharge Maine — the state’s statewide EV-charging initiative — is working to build a convenient, reliable, and equitable charging network. Maine’s Updated Plan for Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment (the NEVI Plan) aligns with new federal guidance: FY22–25 funds are obligated and FY26 funds are now available. The state’s priorities for siting EV chargers are:
- Tourism corridors (Acadia, Mid-coast, Portland)
- High-traffic commuter zones (Portland, Brunswick, Topsham)
- Rural equity (Rumford, Skowhegan, Newport, Medway)
Closer to home, the Kennebunk Service Plaza on I-95 offers EV charging (Tesla and ChargePoint) in both directions. However, Route 1 between Kittery and Wells is not yet covered and currently relies on I-95 EV sites — a gap worth watching as the tourist season ramps up.
Ogunquit Takes Action
Ogunquit has not waited for the state to act. The Town has installed two public EV charging stations at Obeds Lane, currently priced at $0.17 per kWh — among the most accessible rates in the region. (In the current year, there is also a flat parking fee of $6.25 but EVs may remain parked for as long as they need to charge.) This is a meaningful step, particularly for visitors and seasonal residents who may arrive with an EV and need a reliable local charging option. A full list of charging stations in the wider area is available through PlugShare and other online directories.
Next Steps
Community engagement is central to Maine’s EV strategy. Efficiency Maine Trust produces webpages, brochures, and guidebooks covering EVs, charging, and incentives, and actively partners with dealers in the EV network. Locally, the annual Wells EV Show is a good opportunity to see the technology up close and ask questions.
Other state initiatives currently underway include:
- Training and best-practice guidance for first responders on EV safety and handling EV battery fires
- A pilot program to encourage the adoption of zero-emission medium and heavy-duty vehicles
Transitioning to electric vehicles is one important piece of Maine’s climate strategy — but it’s not the only one. Making alternative transport options affordable, attractive, and convenient is equally essential. Ogunquit’s Sustainability Committee will continue to track these developments and advocate for local action. Watch this space for more.
For more information on EV rebates and incentives, visit efficiencymaine.com.
