With the rise in pollution and global warming, electric vehicles are becoming more common as they offer a much greener experience than usual fuel-driven cars. However, these cars can be expensive which is why it is important to do your research well before you put your money on them. If you are someone who wants to get an electric car, this article is a guide for you to figure out what you need to know while buying.
Electric vehicles can be expensive. However, it is important to understand that these cars usually have just a higher upfront cost. They would cost at least over $55,000, which is almost as much as an entry-level luxury car. The good news is, you can reduce this cost using your tax credits. The bad news is that this is only available for the first 200,000 cars a company manufactures.
Calculate the Cost
Even though electric cars can be costly, they have a very low maintenance cost. Since you don`t need to spend money on fuel or gas, an electric car would need way less than $100 per month. Most cars come with a level 1 charger but you can get a level 2 charger to save up time and battery life. Level 1 chargers are a little less expensive than level 2 ones but can consume more electricity and are less convenient (needs 40 hours to charge your car completely).
Therefore, it is safe to say that electric cars can be expensive initially but would save you a lot of money in the long run.
Lease or Buy
New car rentals now account for about 30% of all transactions, but published reports show that about 80% of all-electric vehicles are rented. Upfront and monthly costs are usually lower than traditional financing, and automakers often suggest profitable rental deals with built-in cost savings.
Renting an electric car for two or three years will help you keep up with the latest technology, especially when it comes to range. A lease, on the other hand, effectively guarantees an indefinite payment for the car. Furthermore, if the specified mileage limit is exceeded or the vehicle falls below its original condition, additional costs may be incurred after the rental period.
Charging Facilities
Installing a charging port at home is the most convenient thing to do. Usually, when you buy a car, the dealer should help you with this. Talk to your landlord if you live on a rented property. However, a normal 3-pin plug charger will take a long time to charge your car fully. So what you can do instead is get a 7kW wall box installed. With this, you can charge your car every evening after you go home and then you`ll have an almost fully charged car in the morning.
Each car may require a different sort of charger; for example, the Blink Charging Level 2 Charger for Chevy Bolt is ideal for Chevys as well as any battery-electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle that requires 80 amps of power. Therefore, before selecting the chargers, you must do a thorough background check.
The hassle occurs when it comes to public charging. Some cars will allow you to charge and pay but a lot of other cars require you to set up an account in a specific app to use every time you charge and pay through it. Then there is of course the issue of available chargers and how much electricity you can consume and how fast your car can charge up in public charging stations. You can download the ZapMap app which will show you all the chargers available in your country.
Understand the Features and Your Requirements
What are you expecting in your new car? Are you buying it for daily transportation or just to express your personality? Electric cars come in a wide range of functions. You can find one in every size and shape. However, you don`t need it all. And evaluating your requirements will save you money.
Big cars like Model-S and Kona have high ranges but you don`t drive 300 miles every day. So an inexpensive car should be good to go if you are opting for daily transport. And cars with longer ranges are more expensive. So know your requirements and see how they go with the features different models possess.
Go for a Test Drive
Electric cars don`t give you the same experience as fuel-driven cars. It is soundless and way smoother. For this reason, it is always a great idea to take your car out on a test drive. This way you will get familiar with the experience and learn how the car functions firsthand. Make an appointment for a dry run before visiting a dealer so that the car is ready for you when you arrive, fully charged.
While you are in the car, take a look at the interior, especially the leg space and headroom, both from the driver`s seat and the passengers` seat. Check the position of the door and the steering wheel to ensure that you can drive around comfortably. Familiarise yourself with the features on the touch screen. Since it`s a keyless car, it is essential to understand how it functions.
If you are new to electric cars, the instructions can seem a little complex so you need to take some time to know how everything works because when you drive you won`t have that much time and you would want to understand the features at a glance.
While on the road, a good idea is to chart your route on the in-built map. Test its passing abilities and try different speeds (with safety). This will give you an idea of how stable the car is. Take it on a road with some turns so you know how well the car can spin.
Electric cars come with a regenerative braking system to conserve energy. This can seem unusual at first, especially if you are used to driving normal cars. This is because they slow down much quicker after you lift off your foot from the accelerator.
Look at the Alternatives
When you hear the word “electric cars”, you might be picturing a Tesla. However, there are so many more affordable alternatives that you can look into according to your requirements as well as budget.
If you aren’t sure about committing to an electric car yet, the best alternative for you would be plug-in hybrids. You can recharge these cars whenever you want but can also switch up to fuels according to your convenience. These cars will also give out fewer greenhouse gas emissions. So you can get the feel of an electric car as well as a combustion engine car in one vehicle!
Some of the most popular plug-in hybrids are RAV4 Prime S.U.V. and Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivan. The Chrysler can travel up to 32 miles with a full charge and the RAV2 can go 42 miles. After this, they will run with gasoline. So if you are up for short trips and commutes, these would be the perfect buy for you. The best news is, these cars are qualified for federal tax credits, which means you can cut costs using your credit points just like with electric cars!
Which One to Buy?
With all the information in hand, you might be confused about which EV you should buy. Below is a list of the best cars to buy and the ones within a budget.
The best electric cars to buy are:
- Chevrolet Bolt EV
- Tesla Model 3
- Hyundai Kona Electric
The cheapest electric cars under $50,000 are:
- 2020 Nissan Leaf
- 2020 Kia Niro EV
- 2020 Chevrolet Bolt
- 2020 Hyundai Kona Electric
- Hyundai Ioniq Electric
Pros and Cons of Electric Cars
While you are looking into electric cars, it is important to know both about their advantages and disadvantages.
EVs have a lot of benefits which is why they are here to stay.
- Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to use a carpool by driving alone.
- Almost instantaneous response when accelerating
- Soundless driving
- Minimal maintenance compared to gasoline vehicles
- Safer for the environment
However, they do have a few drawbacks too.
- Needs a lot of time to charge
- Can be heavy due to large batteries
- Long-distance electric vehicles are expensive
- Public charging can be a hassle
Electric Cars are the Future
Electric cars are growing in popularity every day. It is estimated that at least two-thirds of American drivers are open to buying electric cars. With less fuel consumption and being cleaner for the environment, we can safely say that these cars are here to rule the roads.
To minimize climate change, in a lot of countries, if you are to buy a new car, you have to get an electric one. So if you are thinking of buying one, do your research, know your requirements, and get the perfect fit for you.