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Understanding electric vehicles (EVs)

Understanding the different types of EVs and the benefits of each can help you choose the best fit for your lifestyle and needs.

What is an EV?

An EV is a vehicle with a charging port that is powered either exclusively or in part by electricity from a battery. EVs can be charged at home, at work, or at public charging stations and they offer a quieter, more efficient driving experience.

There are two main types of EVs with charging ports:

Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)

Powered solely by a battery

Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)

Powered by a traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) plus a smaller battery that usually provides about 20-50 miles of driving range.

What is a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV)?

A HEV combines an internal combustion engine with an electric motor and a very small battery. This battery is charged through regenerative breaking and the engine rather than from an external plug.

EV vs HEV: Know the difference

All vehicles have qualities that fit better with different lifestyles. While there is no perfect vehicle, there is one that’s best for you:

	EV	Hybrid EV
Power source	Battery (electricity)	Gas + small battery
Tailpipe emissions	None	Reduced compared to traditional gas vehicles
Fuel	Electricity via plug-in charging	Gasoline
Maintenance	Fewer moving parts means lower maintenance	Lower than traditional gas vehicles due to regenerative braking
Driving range	Varies with an average of more than 300 miles on newer models.	Generally 400–600 miles.
Fuel economy	Average MPGe of ~100	Average MPG of ~50

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Benefits of driving electric

Drivers looking to save money, improve their driving experience and support cleaner transportation continuously turn to EV ownership.

EV key benefits:

Charging is often cheaper than fueling up with gasoline— SRP offers price plans (Opens in a new tab) that feature super off-peak hours, which offer the most affordable electricity for charging.
EVs have fewer moving parts than traditional gas vehicles, resulting in lower maintenance costs.
Provide a smoother, quieter performance with instant acceleration.

EV energy grid benefits:

When SRP customers charge their EV during super-off-peak and off-peak hours, they help reduce strain on the power grid.
EVs can help balance renewable energy (such as solar) by charging when renewable production is high, making it the least expensive time to charge.
As more renewable energy and clean energy are added to the grid, SRP customers who own an EV will continue to get cleaner “fuel” over the years.