The 5 Most Popular EVs in Maine

Electric vehicles are becoming more common across the United States. As such, there are some very valid concerns as to how states are going to provide infrastructure to promote travel within the state.

The federal and many state governments are already taking steps to guarantee the continued growth of EVs going forward. With this in mind, it bears some exploration to see the state of EVs in Maine.

As to what the most popular EVs in Maine are, there are some usual suspects you might expect to see. Let’s explore the current climate around electric vehicles in the state in a little more detail, including their future support and what the most popular choices are for owners.

What Is the EV Support in Maine Like?

Maine is home to 2,682 public charging stations. This is quite a substantial number compared to some other states. While most of the charging stations are centered around the Portland area, the state itself is taking a special interest in expanding the infrastructure surrounding it. EVs are effectively here to stay, so it makes sense to invest now.

The state is providing some initiatives to provide funding and promote the adoption of the technology. Funds are readily available for those looking to build public EV charging stations.

The current expansion of charging infrastructure comes in the wake of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act at the federal level. This allotted $7.5 billion dollars to create a national network of chargers, with states being able to get these funds. Maine has embraced this wholeheartedly, with more chargers on the way.

Total EV Registrations in Maine

Maine has a total of 3,040 EVs registered in the state, which accounts for 0.21% of all EVs sold across the country. The state itself is in the odd position of having an EV charging station available for every vehicle capable of using it.

This accounts for a very scant 0.007% of all total vehicles being electric in Maine. The state has a much smaller population than most others, however, so this number isn’t quite as small as it seems. California has a massive population that dwarfs Maine’s, which might skew perception a bit.

This number has gone up significantly, however, especially when compared to the previous sales numbers in 2020. Maine saw 1,920 electric vehicles registered in 2020, so the jump in the next year accounted for a massive 58.33% increase in sales overall.

This number will likely to continue trend upward, as EV sales continue to rise across the country. Couple that with the massive infrastructural investments being made by the state, and it may very well lead to Maine’s sales numbers continuing to grow.

The Most Popular EVs in Maine

The most popular choices here are fairly typical for EVs across the country. These choices are likely to change in the future as more electric models become available at a variety of price points.

1. Ford F-150 Lightning

Ford’s all-electric take on the most popular truck in the United States has proven to be a popular choice. The F-150 Lightning has a starting retail price of $59,974, it isn’t the cheapest choice on the market. That said, it comes with some stellar features that make it a great choice.

You get a total operating range of 240 miles on a full charge with the most basic trim package. There is also the simple fact that this electric truck can do some work. The F-150 Lightning is capable of towing up to 5,000 pounds with the basic standard-range battery.

2. Volvo XC40 Recharge

Volvo has long been the standard for safety in automobiles. This extends to its celebrated XC40 Recharge, which is one of the safest EVs on the market. Its range isn’t the best at 223 miles on a single charge, but it packs some extra power in addition to safety.

The basic trim package starts at $53,550 which places it directly in competition with the Tesla Model Y. Unlike Elon Musk’s EV, the Volvo has a pedigree of safety reaching back decades.

3. Tesla Model 3

The Tesla Model 3 remains the most popular EV in the entire country. This comes as little surprise to anyone familiar with the vehicle. The Model 3 boasts a phenomenal range with an estimated 315 miles available on a single charge.

It also comes with Autopilot, a self-driving feature meant to take the stress away in highway traffic. The Model 3 will likely continue to be a mainstay in the EV market for years to come, as the suggested retail price of $40,240 for the basic package makes it tough to beat.

4. Nissan Leaf

Nissan was one of the first on the market with a low-cost electric vehicle. While the initial run of Leafs had some teething problems, the Japanese auto manufacturer has made it a force to behold. The Leaf has a suggested retail price of $28,040 with the most basic trim package.

A Nissan Leaf makes for a fine choice for an entry-level EV, and it is a plentiful model to be found both new and used. Nissan has helped to codify the current standard universal chargers available with ChaDeMo and J1772 adapters being utilized by ChargePoint and other charging stations across the country.

5. Tesla Model S

Few contenders have come out to beat the Tesla Model S at its own game. The epitome of electric luxury, the Model S has been the gold standard for cutting-edge features in EVs for over a decade now. You get a stellar range with the Model S, at an estimated 396 miles.

Tesla’s Autopilot is also present, in addition to a host of other safety features. The Model S is the most expensive choice on this list, retailing for $87,490 for the dual motor option.

Tesla often uses the Model S as a test bed of sorts for new features coming to the rest of its product line. That said, if you’re looking for bleeding-edge tech in a sporty package, look no further.

Hitting the Road with EVs in Maine

Maine has stellar support for electric vehicles and the outlook is absolutely rosy going forward. With the state placing emphasis on developing relevant infrastructure along its highway systems, it only bodes well for adopters of the technology.

The most popular models chosen today are just a fraction of the total EVs available on the market. That said, their popularity has some solid reasoning behind it.

If you’re on the fence about purchasing an electric vehicle, now is as good a time as any to jump in. The used market has plentiful choices available, and new EVs come in a variety of form factors and pricing.

Maine, much like the rest of the country, is only going to expand its support for EVs. While the overall registrations are low currently, they have experienced explosive growth in the last few years.

What this means going forward is anyone’s guess, but it will likely continue to trend upward. With the United States aiming for a majority of vehicles to be EVs by 2030, each state has quite a bit of pull as to how that goal is going to be accomplished.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Sean Pavone/Shutterstock.com.