MIDCOAST— High-speed electric vehicle charging stations are popping up all over Maine. Following a national trend, Maine businesses and municipalities are installing EV stations as a convenience to electric car drivers. The faster chargers can power a vehicle in 20 minutes to an hour, whereas others are designed to charge a vehicle overnight.

Located at various local grocery stores and chain supermarkets, such as Hannaford, along with inns, solar power companies and even breweries and distilleries, these charging stations allow patrons to use them for free or a nominal cost if patronizing the establishment. While charging, they can walk into town to go shopping or get something to eat, go hiking, or sip the latest craft brews and cocktails Maine has to offer.

We contacted some of the owners of Midcoast EV stations to find out what their reasons were for the installations.

“We decided to include the charging stations when we laid the electricity and water lines before pouring concrete for the new parking lot,” said Briar Lyons, owner of Lincolnville General Store. “It is obvious and exciting that electric cars will play a much more significant role in the future, and we wanted to be prepared for when that happens. Our electric charging stations are free to the public. The Tesla charger was free, and the universal chargers we purchased with an eye towards the future and the understanding that customers using the stations would likely also spend time and money in our store, introducing us to unique and fun individuals.”

“We wanted to create an experience for our consumers,” said Topher Mallory, cofounder of Split Rock Distilling, in Newcastle. “So the impetus was putting in place EV infrastructure for future company vehicles, and promoting and supporting EV use amongst in our community.”

Mallory said that there are a number of things people can do while waiting for the car to charge: “including time at the tasting room, patrons can grab some food from the food trucks that frequent the spot, go for a hike on a trail nearby, and play yard games like Jenga and Corn Hole.” 

Belfast is the latest town to get an electric volt (EV) charger for electric cars on the Beaver Street Parking lot.

Joseph Slocum, city manager, said: “We know it’s being regularly used by people all of the time. We’re trying to promote renewable energy and reduce our carbon footprint, which is part of the larger scheme the entire city is working on.”

By joining forces with Tesla Motors, Berry Manor Inn has become the first Tesla/Universal electric car charging station in Rockland and is offering a charge to guests of Granite Inn and LimeRock Inn too for a nominal fee.

“We have both a Tesla and a Universal on the side of our carriage house and they’re the longer-charging type,” said Berry Manor Inn co-owner Cheryl Michaelsen.

Here is a list of available EV chargers around the Midcoast and where to find them.

Searsport

Sundog Solar

222 East Main Street, Searsport

(207) 548-100

One Level 2 charger

Belfast

City of Belfast

Beaver Street Parking Lot, Belfast

(207)-338-3370

One Level 2 charger

Located in the triangular parking lot across from the Belfast Co-op

Lincolnville

Lincolnville General Store

269 Main Street, Lincolnville

(207) 763-4411

Two Level 2 chargers.

Located in the back of the parking lot on the opposite side of the street.

Camden

Hannaford Supermarket

145 Elm Street, Camden

Located on the left hand side of the store by Bangor Savings Bank

(207) 236-8577

Level 2 charger available 7a.m.-10 p.m. daily.

 **

The Country Inn

8 Country Inn Way, Rockport

(207) 236-2725

Located in the parking lot near the front door.

Level 2 charger

 **

The Lodge at Camden Hills

186 Belfast Road, Camden

(207) 236-8478

Located in the lower parking lot that town uses for hiking trail access.

50a Tesla charger

Rockland

Berry Manor Inn

81 Talbot Ave, Rockland

(207) 596-7696

Two Level 1 chargers

Located on the side of the carriage house.

St. George

The humble Farmer Bed and Breakfast

785 River Road, St. George

(207) 226-7442

One Level 2 charger

Located within the barn; the cord can be pulled out the window.

Newcastle

Newcastle Inn

60 River Road, Newcastle

(877) 798-3752

Three Level 2 chargers

**

Split Rock Distilling

16 Osprey Point Road, Newcastle

(207) 563-2669

One Level 2 charger

Located: On the side of the barn opposite the tasting room in the parking lot.

The Sunrise Guide also happens to have an extensive list of EV chargers all over Maine as well as an explanation on what the different levels of chargers mean. FMI:

https://thesunriseguide.com/electric-vehicle-charging-stations-in-maine/

If we have missed any EV stations located in the Midcoast, please email us with “EV Chargers” in the subject line.

 Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com