Home > Programs and Services > plug 'n go > FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is CVPS plug ’n go?
2. Why is CVPS offering plug ’n go?
3. What’s the difference between a normal hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) and a plug-in hybrid (PHEV)?
4. How does an all-electric vehicle (EV) differ from a PHEV?
5. How could CVPS plug ’n go save me money and help the environment?
6. What makes the plug-in hybrid cleaner than a regular gasoline car?
7. Is CVPS sure plug-in hybrids will not stress the electrical system?
8. Why should CVPS customers explore using a plug-in hybrid?
9. Will CVPS customers need a different meter installed to use plug 'n go?

1. What is CVPS plug ’n go?
“Plug” is the option to charge the batteries in your hybrid electric vehicle at night. “Go” is using that electricity to significantly increase your regular gasoline mileage. Since a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle can run on gasoline if necessary, your trip distance is not limited by the battery storage.

2. Why is CVPS offering plug ’n go?
CVPS has a long-term vision for plug ‘n go to use cars to make the grid and driving more efficient. In the near term, we want to help customers substitute off-peak electricity for gasoline to reduce driving costs and driving pollution. In the long term, with proper wiring, a PHEV can also serve as a generator at your home during power failures.

3. What’s the difference between a normal hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) and a plug-in hybrid (PHEV)?
A plug-in hybrid has all the benefits of a regular hybrid car, with more versatility! A PHEV has an additional battery pack and a cord to connect to a standard electric outlet. Those changes allow a plug ‘n go driver to charge the car when it is normally sitting idle – like at home at night.

4. How does an all-electric vehicle (EV) differ from a PHEV?
The EV has no on-board backup gasoline engine. An EV has limited range depending on the battery charge level. But most day-to-day trips are 40 miles or less, so the EV limits may not affect most trips.

5. How could CVPS plug ’n go save me money and help the environment?
When the car is driven the day after it has been plugged in, it uses electricity and less gasoline. Less gasoline means lower costs and fewer emissions. Electricity at off-peak rates provides transportation for the equivalent of about 75 cents per gallon of gasoline.

6. What makes the plug-in hybrid cleaner than a regular gasoline car?
There are a number of factors. An electric motor is much more efficient than a gasoline engine. This is especially true for stop-and-start driving, and the CO2 content of the fuels used to make electricity is significantly lower than gasoline. Central Vermont’s power supply mix is very low emitting. The electric generation in New England that would be used to charge cars at night is primarily from natural gas. Those combined cycle, natural gas-fired electric plants use waste heat and thus are more than 50 percent efficient, while car engines can range from 15 to 30 percent efficient. It is also more economic to control emissions at large power plants instead of at each tailpipe, and future electric system power supplies may be even cleaner and more efficient.

7. Is CVPS sure plug-in hybrids will not stress the electrical system?
We want plug ‘n go drivers to charge the cars at night when the electric system capacity is not strained and when energy prices are lower. The electric system has an average use factor of just over 60 percent, so over 35 percent of the system, both wires and power plants, are available for off-peak uses like plug ‘n go cars. A national study estimates that more than 80 percent of the country’s light vehicles could be charged up on the electric system without any additional wires or power plants. We suggest plug ’n go customers sign up for an off-peak rate (like the current Rate 9 for your whole house) to take advantage of its lower prices.

8. Why should CVPS customers explore using a plug-in hybrid?
Battery technology breakthroughs are stimulating interest from major manufacturers to produce PHEV and electric cars (EVs). CVPS is gaining experience with hybrids converted to PHEVs. These conversions do not yet pay for themselves in fuel savings. Adventurous customers who want to be early adopters of this technology can join CVPS to blaze a trail to more efficient driving and show manufacturers that there is a market for PHEVs.

9. Will CVPS customers need a different meter installed to use plug 'n go?
No, but we encourage you to sign up for a CVPS's time-of-day rate, Rate 9, which will provide you lower electric rates in the evening so you can plug in and recharge your PHEV.