New initiatives and funding will produce 12 more stations for high-speed charging of electric vehicles throughout the state.

"This funding will help expand our states EV charging network, reducing range anxiety for EV users who live, work, and travel in Maine," said Bruce Van Note, Maine Department of Transportation commissioner. “Increasing electrification of vehicles will help improve our quality of life by reducing carbon emissions from the transportation sector.”

More than $6 million in new federal money will fund seven of the charging stations in Bangor, Augusta, and on Route 1 between Ellsworth and Freeport. 

MaineDOT also announced new funding through the Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan to build five more stations in Medway, Houlton, Ashland, Danforth and Machias.

Maine, according to the department, is working toward a long-term goal of having charging stations available throughout the Interstate 95 and Route 1 corridors in the state.  

Right now, there are 216 high-speed charging stations available statewide, along with 708 slower community plugs. The announcement represents efforts to fill gaps in a network of chargers described in a plan released by the department in July 2022.

All 12 chargers announced today are expected to go online in 2024. MaineDOT stated the state will receive approximately $18 million in additional federal funds in the next few years to continue to build and develop the charging network.