The Top 3 Things to Consider When Buying an Electric Car
The Top 3 Things to Consider When Buying an Electric Car
Posted on May 8, 2019
The auto industry is abuzz with constant launches of new electric or alternatively fuelled vehicles by different manufacturers. The number of new electric cars spotted on the country’s roads is increasing day by day as consumers are ditching fuel or gas-powered cars in favor of all-electric ones.
In view of the growing environmental concerns and uncertainty regarding petrol and diesel, many people are switching to electric and hybrids. Perhaps you’re also mulling over an idea of switching to an electric car but can’t make a final decision. So, if you’re in a confused state of mind, let’s make it very clear that there are many good and green reasons to buy an electric car. However, before you take the plunge, there are a few important things that need your attention.
Here in this post, we’ll help you make an educated decision on your next car. But before we look at the things to consider before buying an electric car, let’s first understand what exactly electric, plug-in hybrids and range extender vehicles are.
Types of EVs
When shopping for EVs, you’ll find cars in three different categories- full electric, plug-in hybrids, and range extenders. The first one, fully electric vehicles with zero emissions are those that are completely powered by an electric motor. The second type, plug-in hybrids comes with both an electric motor, as well as a conventional engine. This means when the car’s battery gets discharged, petrol or diesel engine will take over. The third option you have is range extenders that are similar to plug-in hybrids. The only difference here is that it is always powered by electricity and when the electric motor dies, it’s re-charged with the conventional engine.
Now as you know the different types of EVs let’s quickly move to the things to know before buying an electric car.
- Charging Requirements
Before you buy an electric vehicle, you need to know its charging requirements which depend on the make and model you buy. Keep this in your mind that unlike fuel driven cars, charging an EV takes more time. So, it’s best if you have an undercover parking space to charge your car overnight. The latest electric vehicles come with a handy dedicated EV charger which can be easily mounted on the garage wall. Charging an electric car at home usually costs around 13p per kWh. Besides having a garage area, you should also check if there’s a public charging point nearby. It is noteworthy here that during long journeys you might not be able to charge Plug-in hybrids using rapid charge points.
- Range
If you’re considering a fully electric car, you need to know that these have a comparatively shorter range than petrol or diesel-fueled vehicles. An electric car driver is likely to experience 80-100 miles of driving range. If you’re going to drive for around 40 km a day, you can definitely consider an EV. Also, as compared to plug-in hybrid with a usual range around 700 miles, range extenders are somewhat better.
- Used or New
Another important consideration is whether to buy a used electric car or a new one. As you can see, the market of EVs is expanding and a new model is launched every other month. With the growing popularity of EVs and new models hitting the market, the number of used electric vehicles is likely to increase. So, it can be a good idea to buy a second-hand car instead of a brand new. However, in addition to checking the mileage, condition of tyres, rust, and license, you need to take a close look at the battery. When considering a used EV, it is necessary to have a range test to determine the battery’s status.