Why drive EVs?

Lower Cost
of Ownership

Fueling and maintaining an EV can cost three times less than a gasoline vehicle. According to energy.gov fueling a car with electricity is the equivalent of spending $1 per gallon of gasoline on average. EVs have fewer moving parts and require less maintenance in comparison to gasoline or diesel vehicles. Additionally, you may qualify for several financial incentives when purchasing an EV. Learn more at www.goelectricdrive.org.

Environmentally
Friendly

Electric Vehicles are cleaner to operate than fossil fuel-powered vehicles. There are zero tailpipe emissions when you operate a fully electric vehicle and grid power from central plants is cleaner than a gas-powered vehicle. El Paso Electric's (EPE) energy is generated from a variety of low-emission sources such as solar, nuclear and natural gas and will continue to become cleaner over time.

Performance

Electric Vehicles produce nearly instant torque, feel more responsive while being driven and provide a quieter ride.

Convenience

Electric Vehicles can be easily charged in your own garage, saving you from constant trips to the gas station.

Buying an EV

There are two types of EVs available for purchase. EVs are classified by the degree that electricity is used as their energy source—either fully electric or hybrid. Each type offers different features to accommodate your travel needs.

Types of EVs

Fully Electric (EVs):

Run exclusively on electricity.
Have a travel range of 75 to over 300 miles depending on model.
Zero tailpipe emissions.

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs):

Run on electricity and switch to a gasoline backup once the battery charge is depleted.
Lower tailpipe emissions than conventional gas-only vehicles.

EV Shopping Tool

Every year, a greater variety of Electric Vehicles are becoming available for purchase or lease. To help you choose the best option for your needs, we bring you a useful tool that can help you find vehicles, compare incentives, and even calculate savings and expenses.

Find Your EV ▶

State Incentives

When purchasing an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle, you may qualify for several financial incentives, including tax credits, for lowering the up-front costs. Learn more and see how you may qualify.

Find incentives in your area

New Mexico

Texas

EV Charging

Charge at Home

While there are several ways to charge your EV, charging at home is often the lowest cost and most convenient option. There are two kinds of at home charging: Level 1 and Level 2.
Which one is right for you?

Level 1 Charging: Uses the charge cord that came with your EV and plugs in to a 120-volt outlet. To avoid tripping a circuit breaker, the charger should not be plugged in the same outlet as any other major appliances (refrigerator, A/C, washing machine). The Level 1 charge rate is approximately 5 miles of range per hour of charge – or roughly 60 miles of recharge each night. No separate charging station is required, which avoids the expense of a dedicated 240-volt circuit and more expensive equipment.

Level 2 charging: Requires installation of a charging station connected to a 240-volt outlet. Charging at Level 2 can add roughly 10 to 30 miles of range per hour, depending on the vehicle. While the faster recharge time may be more desirable, in some instances, a panel upgrade and service upgrade from EPE may be required. A licensed electrician should be consulted to determine if the home’s existing panel can accommodate Level 2 charging, as well as the related costs to install a 240-volt outlet in the garage.

New Mexico Incentives

As part of our efforts to create a greener and more sustainable future for our region, El Paso Electric developed the New Mexico Transportation Electrification Plan, or TEP. To encourage the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in New Mexico, we offer unique incentives including special rates, rebates, and many other savings on EV charging and smart charging stations.

Click here to view the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the TEP.

Residential Smart Charging Rebates

With the help of the TEP, EV owners can get rebates ranging from $500 to $2,300 from EPE towards the purchase of qualified smart Level 2 home charging stations, and for income qualified customers, there are incentives for installation as well.

Residential Smart Charging Program:

EPE customers can receive a $500 rebate on qualifying smart Level 2 charging stations. Installation costs not included. Customers can request a rebate by submitting a Residential Smart Charging Program Application form via email or when purchasing directly on EPE’s website using the shop button below:

Shop Now!

Residential Low Income (LI) Smart Charging Program:

For eligible low-income customers, an instant rebate of up to $2,300 can be received for the purchase and installation of qualifying smart Level 2 chargers. Eligible customers can request a rebate on the charging station by submitting a Residential Smart Charging Program Application form via email or purchase one directly on EPE website using the shop button above.

To request a rebate for the installation of a charging station, please submit the following documents:

Self-Certification Form of Income Eligibility
Customer Acknowledgement Form
- Only applicable when applying for an instant rebate via a contractor.
Contractor Letter of Intent
- Necessary to receive an instant rebate on the purchase and/or installation of charging station. Only applicable when applying for an instant rebate via a contractor.

Commercial Smart Charging Rebates

The increased adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) within our New Mexico service territory has led to the need for more charging locations. This opens a unique opportunity for business owners, public parking managers, apartment owners, and fleet operators to provide a service that’s in high demand. The best part is that our commercial customers can also take advantage of several rebates for the installation of smart charging stations.

More Than Providing a Service

Installing EV charging stations on your property can potentially attract more customers to your business, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create new revenue streams for your business, energize economic development, and improve the quality of life for our region.

Workplace and Public Smart Charging Program

Who Is Eligible?

If you have a business or operate a public parking space, EPE is offering rebates up to $3,500 designed to help you offset 50% of the costs on the installation of a qualifying Level 2 charging station.

Multi-Unit Dwelling (MUD) Smart Charging Program

Who Is Eligible?

Do you run a multi-unit dwelling, like an apartment complex? Then you may be qualified for up to $5,250 to offset 75% of the installation costs of qualifying Level 2 charging stations. This rebate is not available to hotels.

DCFC Smart Charging Program

Who Is Eligible?

If you’re interested in adding a DC fast-charging station on your property, then we’ve got good news. We’re offering rebates, up to $104,000 per site, to offset 50% on the installation of qualifying charging stations.

Public Transit and Customer Fleet Smart Charging Program

Who Is Eligible?

Do you manage a public transit operation or any type of fleet? Then you may qualify for a rebate of up to $26,000 for the installation of a DC fast-charging station or up to $3,500 for installing a Level 2 charging station to offset 50% of the installation costs with additional funding available for service upgrades.

Download Forms and Documents

Interested in our rebates? All necessary forms are listed below and are available for download.

Commercial Smart Charging Program Application

EV Charging Rates

El Paso Electric offers a variety of special electricity rates for charging electric vehicles. Depending on choice and eligibility, you can save on your electric bill by charging your EV during off-peak hours.

Whole House/Service Electric Vehicle (WHEV/WSEV) Rate Rider Incentive Credit available for customers on Rates No. 01, 03, 04, 07:
Using the WHEV and WSEV Rate Rider incentive , customers can receive an incentive, shown in the form of a credit on their electric bill for energy usage during the super off-peak hours.

Who Is Eligible?

Commercial and residential customers who own or lease a qualifying plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) and is also registered with the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division using the same address as their EPE account.

Experimental EV Charging Rate (Rate 42):
Get even more savings while charging electric vehicles with Rate 42 — our TOD (Time-Of-Day) — rate by charging after 7 PM. The installation of a second meter is required for this option.

Who Is Eligible?

Residential and commercial customers using a dedicated meter for EV charging.

For more in-depth information on our special EV rates, click here.

Customer Outreach Program

Through our Customer Outreach Program, we aim to engage with the community hands-on and inform them about the benefits of electric vehicles, charging types, incentives and rebate programs, as well as our rate options for off-peak charging. Click here to learn more.

If you would like to learn more about the TEP or want to request a presentation or advisory services from our team, contact us via email or by phone at (575) 526-5555, extension 5173.

El Paso Electric’s EV Initiatives

El Paso Electric is continuously working to make a positive impact in our environment by generating clean, reliable and renewable energy. We’ve already taken the next step by integrating EVs into our service fleet. At the moment, there are 16 electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid vehicles in our fleet.

El Paso Electric showcases its electric fleet vehicles in public outreach events throughout the year. If you would like to get more information on one of our upcoming events, you can visit us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

EPE's EV charging rate can save you money. Use the calculator to determine potential savings and download the process to request
service under the Texas EV Rate.

Tips For Using the Calculator

Consider how many miles you drive each month.
Any entry that is yellow might change depending on your car and miles driven.
EV efficiency varies by model; you can find ratings for different models at www.fueleconomy.gov.

Miles Driven Per Month

Cost to fuel a gasoline or diesel vehicle:

Fuel Efficency [MPG]

Price of Gasoline or Diesel [$/gallon]

Monthly Fuel Cost $0.00

Cost to charge an electric vehicle:

El Paso Electric Rate

EPA Rating [MPGe]
(fueleconomy.gov)

EV Energy Consumption (kWh) 0

Energy Rate [$/kwH]* 0

Additional Meter Cost -

Additional Energy Cost & Fees -

Average Monthly Charging Cost $0.00

Potential Monthly Savings $0.00

*Average Rates from 2022
*Excludes demand charges for the commercial rates

By choosing to drive an EV, you’re helping our community find new roads to a cleaner, greener future. And to celebrate your earth-friendly choice, El Paso Electric invites you to join our EV Community. This first-of-it’s kind initiative provides current EV owners with up-to-date information, exclusive newsletters and EV resources found in El Paso Electric’s service territory. You’ll even get a members-only welcome kit! So, join our community and let’s keep the EV movement charging forward.

Register today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I be able to charge my EV when I am away from home?
Yes and you can find public charging stations near you by visiting Plugshare.

What EV is best for me?
All major automakers are now offering more efficient plug-in vehicles and electric models every year. Visit the websites of your favorite brands to learn about their plug-in offerings or visit the Alternative Fuels Data Center for a summary of currently available EVs.

How far can I get on a single charge?
EV range is improving every year. Several models can go more than 200 miles on a single charge and some even have over 300 miles of range.

How will charging an EV affect my electric bill?
An average electric vehicle can travel about three miles per kilowatt-hour used. Driving 1,000 miles per month while charging with El Paso Electrics’s EV rate during off-peak hours would cost about $12 per month. Driving 1,000 miles while charging with El Paso Electric’s Texas residential rate would cost approximately $35 per month. By comparison, a conventional vehicle that averages 30 miles per gallon with gasoline prices at $2.80 per gallon would spend $93 per month.

Does El Paso Electric offer a special EV rate?
Yes. El Paso Electric offers a special Electric Vehicle (EV) rate that saves customers money when charging their vehicle during the utility's off-peak hours between 6:00 p.m. and 12:00 p.m. Customers will need to request an additional meter from EPE in order to be qualified for this rate. You should consult a qualified electrician about the costs to upgrade your home or business to accommodate an additional meter for the EV charging circuit. Read about EPE’s EV Rate here.

What initial start-up costs can I expect for installing charging equipment?
Depending on your current wiring and charging needs, prices will vary for installation. Any licensed electrician will be able to provide further details for these services. In some cases, you may be able to use an existing outlet in your garage and charge at Level 1 with no additional equipment or installation costs.

About EVs

Why drive EVs?

Lower Cost
of Ownership

Environmentally
Friendly

Performance

Convenience