The ЭП1 (EP1) is the passenger variant of the ВЛ65 (VL65). So it also has the wheel arrangement B-B-B and is built for 25 kV AC, but with a top speed of 140 km/h. Although it was the first locomotive from Novocherkassk with micro processor control, it still has DC traction motors. Built for passenger service, it has no multiple controls. With an hourly output of 4,700 kW, it can haul 1,440 tonnes with 80 km/h on an 0.9 percent incline.

After 381 of the basic variant ЭП1, the ЭП1^M followed in 2006 which has more rounded cabs made of plastic and some improvements on the inside. Most locomotives were built until 2013, after this the production rate dropped to a handful each year. Only in 2024, a higher number of 16 can be found. Currently this makes a total of 459 ЭП1^M. Another variant is the ЭП1^П (EP1^P) that was built for topographically challenging lines. It has a gear ratio for only 120 km/h, what increases starting tractive effort from 380 to 440 kN. 74 of this variant were built between 2007 and 2010.