Maine leads the nation in DC fast charging technology
Our EV Corner column is written by Barry Woods, Senior Director of Electric Mobility.
The Rivian electric van charges at Gardiner.
As more of us gain experience in electric driving, we realize that one of the few times we really need public charging is to help the battery go. longer distances. Tesla’s Supercharger network is perhaps the best current example of a DC Fast Charging (DCFC) network designed to allow drivers to cross the country stopping briefly to recharge and continue on their way. Non-Tesla drivers got “urge to charge” (the opposite of range anxiety) when they passed one of their myriad charging groups.
The DCFC network is growing
It changes. Maine began a serious effort using Volkswagen funding (and soon federal infrastructure money) to expand its non-Tesla DCFC network and now has 14 sites in operation or under construction. The speed of DCFC technology has increased along with the capacity of vehicle batteries, and Maine has now enabled the first public ChargePoint DCFCs capable of 150 kW in the nation, thanks to a partnership between ChargePoint, Efficiency Maine Trust and ReVision Energy. ChargePoint owns and operates its new 150kW Express Plus chargers at Maine Turnpike’s Kennebunk (North and South) and West Gardiner service plazas. These chargers are three times faster than older 50kW versions and many newer EV models can take advantage of this to reduce charging times.
Our project manager Dan Robinson has seen it first hand:
The Proterra Electric School Bus stops to charge in Kennebunk.
“Within minutes of Gardiner going live, we had a brand new Rivian R1T with temperature plates. The owner was very happy to see the additional infrastructure. He was able to charge quickly and continue on his way north. In Kennebunk North plaza, also minutes after the end of service, the brand new Proterra/Thomas school bus for Old Town ME, stopped for a load straight out of the Kennebunk construction plant , WC Cressey and Son. We were able to put the driver on the ChargePoint app and top him up before he heads to the next DCFC on his route, Skowhegan Hannaford – part of Phase 1 of the build.
First in the country
Master Electrician Bill Levay inside the Proterra Electric School Bus
These are the first 150kW ChargePoint chargers for the public in the country. ReVision is proud of its team for helping to put them in place and saving time for EV drivers. These projects are part of the state of Maine’s ongoing efforts to develop a fast-charging network for non-Tesla vehicles that provides fast, reliable charging for residents and tourists to enjoy the state and help its environment through low-carbon electrification. Look for more information on ReVision’s ongoing role in transportation electrification, including ReVision-branded public charging to help drive the transition and enable us to spread clean energy throughout New England!