The State of Maine opened its first National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program-funded EV charging station that allows users to charge their Tesla with CCS compatibility.
The Tesla Supercharger station is federally funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and is located at a shopping center in Rockland, southeast of Augusta, in Midcoast Maine.
Tesla Supercharger Now Available for Maine Drivers
The new Rockland Supercharger is equipped with 250kW Supercharger ports with CCS and NACS compatibility. The station is part of the Recharge Maine initiative that started last year to extend the state's electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
"Maine is leading efforts to build a future where everyone can ride and drive electric, starting with plans to electrify the vital I-95 and US 1 corridors," said Gabe Klein, director of the federal government's Joint Office of Energy and Transportation.
Tesla was one of the awardees of the NEVI Program which gave more than $6 million in funds. Five of the eight CCS ports came from Maine's $18 million in NEVI funds.
Maine Targets to Improve EV Infrastructure
According to the NEVI program, EV charging stations must be available every 50 miles and within one travel mile of the Alternative Fuel Corridor. Moreover, these stations are required to have at least four ports with connectors that are capable of charging four EVs at 150kW at a time.
The charging stations should also be 24-hour accessible to the public and must have amenities for drivers like restrooms, food, beverage, and shelter.
Tesla won several EV charging awards from the law, allowing the company to install more charging plazas compared to other companies.
Maine is the fifth state to open NEVI-funded chargers in conjunction with Tesla. The state is expected to have more public fast-charging locations under the NEVI funds in Portland, Newport, Bangor, Windham, and Hermon.
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