Electric cars are here to stay and for obvious reasons. Do you remember when you switched from your touch phone to your very first smartphone? That is exactly the exciting feeling you will experience when shifting from your gas-powered vehicle to an electric one.
Like you will never revert to using your old touch phones; similarly, there is no going back to driving a gas-powered vehicle once you get a taste of driving an electric car.
Things you need to know before buying an electric car
Buying an electric car can be exciting but puzzling. There are a lot of things to consider before buying your first electric vehicle. This article will give you the information you require before you decide to purchase your first electric vehicle.
Be honest with yourself about what you are really looking for
Are you looking for simple basic transportation to be used within the city for your daily grocery shopping, to pick and drop your family from and to school? or do you want to show off your personality and make an impression on others through the electric car? that you have bought.
As it is said, “Cars are a statement about their buyers. If they weren’t, there wouldn’t be a Mercedes.”
Read 10 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Purchase an Electric Car
How much are you willing to spend?
Some electric vehicles come as cheap as $30,000. But then there are others which will go up to as high or more than $100,000.
A large number of states, cities, and even car and utility companies offer incentives for buying electric cars. There is also the option of either leasing or buying.
People (as close to 80%) usually go for the leasing option because monthly financing installments and down payments are usually lower than conventional financing.
In addition, carmakers offer promotional lease deals with built-in cost reductions.
Another important point to consider is the delivery charges, registration costs, and state and local taxes, which will be included in the electric vehicles transaction price.
Read Electric Car or Gas Car: Which is a Better Option?
How do you plan on using your electric car?
It always pays to do some research to ensure that the car you are considering meets your needs.
Does it have enough space for you and your family? Can things like groceries, sports equipment, children strollers be kept easily in your car? Are the seats comfortable, and do you find it simple to operate? Back seat leg and headroom.
How easy is it to get them in and out of their car seats if you have small kids? If you have a large family or transport large objects, an SUV like the Chevrolet Bolt EUV must be what you want.
If you are looking to make a statement with your purchase and prefer performance over space, a sedan like the Tesla Model S would be perfect.
A hatchback would be the best choice for people who travel a lot and don’t need space for a lot of cargo. Newer hatchbacks have a higher range and are cheaper in comparison to sedans and SUVs.
Read 15 Facts You Didn’t Know About Electric Cars
Safety and other features
All the new features are being released in electric vehicles like semi-autonomous driving or Teslas’ ‘Full self-driving AutoPilot’. They have the most advanced infotainment systems that do much more than just help the driver with navigation and controlling car settings.
They offer all kinds of safety sensors that alert you to any kind of danger on the road. Some of them include 360-degree surround camera systems, automatic high beams, forward-collision warnings with emergency braking, amongst others.
Read Benefits of Electric Cars Other than Just Being Cost-Effective
Driving range
One of the most critical factors while buying an electric vehicle to be kept in mind is the vehicle driving range. Today an average electric vehicle is able to run for more than 200 miles on a single charge.
Even then, you must make sure whether the model that you are thinking of buying has sufficient range for your daily commute and weekend activities.
Remember, if you are living in a cold area, your EVs range will suffer significantly. As with any car, how you drive affects the amount of electricity that you use.
Drive slowly and smoothly in order to maximize your range, as speeding and heavy braking will destroy it. If you want the best results, it would be best if you went easy on the air conditioning and heating.
Read 10 Electric Cars That Are Worth Buying
Batteries
Weather and temperature tend to have bigger effects on battery-powered vehicles. Extreme cold or hot weather will affect the range of your electric car.
A drop of 41% in the cold and 17% in hot temperatures is expected in the range of your electric vehicle.
Electric car makers are developing thermal management systems for their batteries to keep them in optimal condition in all types of weather.
Read Are electric cars eco-friendly?
How will you charge your electric vehicle?
Even though the government has made charging stations available throughout the country, it would be a good idea to have your own alternative to charge your vehicle at home.
Charging your electric car at home is an easy but slow process, taking up the whole day to get it fully charged. You might need to upgrade your electrical panel at home for this purpose.
It should not be considered a very big problem as there are owners of electric cars who say they don’t charge their cars daily because it isn’t required.
Electricity prices usually vary based on the time of day. It’s normally much cheaper to charge overnight or on the weekend than it is to charge at peak times, such as weekday afternoons and evenings.
Read What is the World’s Fastest Electric Car
Tax breaks and incentives
The federal U.S. government offers electric car buyers a $7,500 tax credit. However, you have to pay the full cost of the car up front, then reclaim that money when you file your taxes.
Depending on the state and city you live in, various incentives are offered to you for buying an electric vehicle.
Make sure to do your research to find out if you can get a discount or get financial help to get your home charger installed.
After-sales services and maintenance
When buying an electric car, always opt for a brand that offers efficient aftersales service and support. Many offer several years of warranty on battery packs and sometimes install a wall charger at whatever location you prefer.
Batteries of an electric car usually lose 50% of their average battery life after 100,000 miles. Most manufacturers offer a warranty of 8 years or 100,000 miles on your battery. These manufacturers have trained professionals with the best know-how to service your electric car.
If you compare owners of petrol or gas-powered cars with electric vehicle owners, the latter spends much less on the repairs and maintenance of his vehicle – no oil changes needed!
One factor that, as a buyer, you must keep in mind is the vehicle’s resale value. The resale value of your used EV can vary significantly depending on the model you have purchased.
Read Disadvantages of Electric Cars: Should You Buy One?
Environmental Factors
If you are concerned about the environment and the harmful emissions of petrol-powered cars, then an electric car is the solution to fight climate change.
The use of electric cars means that there is no air pollution through CO2 while driving as no fuel is being burned, meaning that they are eco-friendly with zero harmful emissions.
This is not the case in all regions of the world but as time goes on, questioning the environmental superiority of EVs confirms fewer greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants.
With the continuous improvements in the efficiency and durability of the electric car, it is only a matter of time when these vehicles will become cleaner and greener.
The risk of allergies through dust, smoke, asthma, heart diseases, and other disorders will greatly decrease, and our world will become a more livable place.
Read What to Do When Your Electric Car Runs Out of Charge?
Here’s why you should switch to an electric car
Electric cars are cheaper to own. They are better for the environment too, and it can’t be denied that electric vehicles are relaxing and easy to drive.
There is a large market to choose the perfect vehicle for yourself with prestigious brand names like Tesla, Mercedes, Audi, and Ford.
Other reasons for going for electric cars include:
- Noiseless and with fewer vibrations, which means they are smooth and effortless to drive.
- Less or no gears at all to worry about makes driving these cars less tiring.
- Faster acceleration and incomparable zippiness.
Whatever electric car you decide to buy must fit in with your lifestyle, so you need to consider not just the car’s beauty but also its performance in safety, its driving range, how it’s charged, and how your mileage and driving style can affect both.
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My name is Matthew, staying in Seattle, Washington. Electric Vehicles (Electric Cars & Electric bikes) caught my attention for the last few years and my love for electric cars and bikes is everlasting. I spend many of my weekends traveling to various places all over various cities with my electric vehicle (e-bike and electric car). Here I am sharing my expertise, experience, and invaluable information about electric cars and electric bikes. Check out more.