Significant work ahead for all stakeholders in Maine to achieve ambitious goals
WASHINGTON, D.C. – April 29, 2021 – In a letter to Governor Janet Mills, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation (Auto Innovators) praised Maine’s commitment to provide the necessary conditions to successfully build a strong, sustainable market for zero emission vehicles (ZEVs), and outlined key measures needed for Maine to achieve the ambitious goals.
“State actions to implement programs and policies that support and encourage electric vehicle (EV) buyers are critically important, and we appreciate Maine’s commitment to do its part in providing the necessary conditions for success,” said John Bozzella, president and CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation. “We appreciate that Governor Janet Mills recognizes that true transformation requires more than just automakers; it requires multiple stakeholders working together. Reaching a 100 percent zero emission vehicle (ZEV) market by 2035 would require the state to address numerous hurdles, including infrastructure, vehicle costs and convenience, and consumer awareness. There are many important complementary measures needed for success, and we appreciate the Governor’s commitment to action. We look forward to working with Governor Janet Mills and her staff.”
The letter encompassed a robust set of factors, recommendations, and data points to consider. In 2020, ZEVs comprised 1.7% of new vehicles sales in the state. To reach 100 percent ZEV sales by 2035 Maine will require significant transformation:
• Registered ZEVs will need to climb to more than 460,000 in 2035, a 10,923% increase from today,
• Charging outlets will need to increase by nearly 15,145% within the next 14 years to reach a modest ratio of one charging outlet per ten EVs, and
• Charging outlets will need to increase by 27,619% within the next 14 years to be in line with the California infrastructure assessment ratio of 5.5 EVs to a charger port.