Understanding electric vehicles (EVs)

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:

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: 

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 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.