The Maine Climate Council has decided to prioritize the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) over green hydrogen in its latest climate action plan, Maine Won't Wait 2.0. The council aims to have 150,000 electric passenger vehicles on the road by 2030 to help the state achieve its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 45% from 1990 levels. Initially considering hydrogen as part of the emissions reduction strategy, the council shifted its focus to EVs due to concerns about the commercial viability of green hydrogen by 2030. The council's decision reflects the state's commitment to meeting its emissions targets through practical and achievable means. With a current 30% reduction in emissions as of 2021, Maine is looking to ramp up efforts in EV adoption, heat pumps, and building weatherization to reach its 2030 goal. While acknowledging the importance of green hydrogen for hard-to-electrify sectors like heavy-duty vehicles, industry, and aviation, Maine is currently concentrating on expanding EV infrastructure and incentivizing EV adoption. By promoting high-speed charging infrastructure and allocating 50% of EV rebates to low- to middle-income Mainers, the council hopes to accelerate the transition to EVs. Despite the shift towards EVs, Maine remains committed to exploring the potential of hydrogen as a clean energy option for certain applications. Commissioner Melanie Loyzim emphasized that as technology advances and costs decrease, hydrogen is expected to become a viable alternative for challenging sectors. Maine Won't Wait 2.0 includes a range of initiatives such as installing 40,000 heat pumps in low-income homes by 2030 and weatherizing 10,000 low-income homes. These efforts aim to ensure that the benefits of the state's climate action plan reach all residents, emphasizing equity and sustainability in Maine's transition to a cleaner energy future.