Thinking about moving from a diesel or gasoline vehicle to an electric vehicle? In the UK, there are 11.6% of new EV cars were sold in the last year (2021) It is essential to be aware of a few points. For example, due to the tiny market for used electric vehicles, you may have to travel and make certain concessions to get the ideal vehicle.
Although electric vehicles are increasingly well-specified, you should still do your study before purchasing one. There are several reasons to electrify, whether you are worried about the environment, the influence on children’s respiratory systems, or just want to save money on gasoline.
What is the reason to switch to electric car?
- Eco-friendly to the environment
- Budget friendly
- Easy to drive
- Increased resale value
- Cleaner environment
- Tariffs for renewable energy
Regardless of the benefits, the below points should assist you in understanding the implications of owning an electric vehicle and then determining if it’s right for you.
6 tips & advices for EV car buyers
Review the service history
The vehicle service history is same for any car. The quality of a used car is only as good as the individual selling it to you. While it’s tempting to assume that electric vehicles require less maintenance, this is still a car with wear and tear parts.
While electric automobiles have fewer moving parts than their internal combustion-engine counterparts, they nevertheless require routine maintenance such as brake fluid replacement and brake pad replacement. Regular servicing will also pick up any service bulletins or recalls that have been issued.
Where will you charge it?
The cheapest method of charging electric cars is overnight at home. The fastest and safest way to charge at home is to have a dedicated parking space and a charging point. You can save money on your home electricity use if you get the right electricity tariff. For more safer side, keep your car charger where ever you go, because now a days there are thousands of car charger points available in the UK (Supermarkets, car parking’s, hotels.
Find out if the battery is leased
Batteries leases are an affordable way to purchase an electric vehicle, and for some, they are the only way to afford an EV. These batteries lease vehicles costing £3,000-£6,000 less than battery owned models may make them more affordable or allow you to purchase a newer vehicle still covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.
Monthly battery hire fees are often compared to the cost of petrol or diesel. This is unfair. The cost of the battery we purchase should be compared to the cost of purchasing an EV equipped with an equivalent battery, or the cost of financing this purchase. In addition, you will receive a battery warranty and roadside breakdown coverage.
Average distance you drive per day
When comparison with the normal petrol and diesel vehicles we can find out most electric cars offer a shorter range of distance. For example, in real-world driving a Nissan Leaf has a range of around 86 miles, the eGolf and Hyundai Ionic, 120 miles, and even the best EVs have a range of around 220 miles. Therefore, how far you drive each day is of utmost importance.
Resale value for used electric cars
Though electric vehicles have been available for quite some time now, their resale value is still unknown, unlike the resale value of their petrol and diesel counterparts. When purchasing an EV, you should consider any likely depreciation that may occur over and above the norm. Once it comes time to replace it, the number of miles it has been driven can negatively impact its resale value, and buyers may mention the cost of a replacement battery.
Check the warranty
One for the vehicle and one for the battery. Check the fine print here as they are all different.
Renault, for example, offers five years of cover on electric cars (but not the Kangoo) if the battery is owned, max of 60,000 miles. Renault also provides a battery degradation guarantee: if the battery drops below 70% of its capacity when its new, Renault will repair or replace it. Tesla promises an eight-year, unlimited mileage warranty, but it doesn’t cover depleted batteries.
Moving from a petrol or diesel vehicle need not be a life-changing decision. If you conduct a reasonable amount of research and consider the points outlined above, you will find that EV ownership is well within your grasp. According to a recent government estimate, we will have more than 10 million electric vehicles on British roads in the next ten years, which will grow to 36 million in the subsequent decade. With the ban on petrol and diesel cars’ sales, EVs’ shift is inevitable. However, the government needs to do more in terms of incentives and the installation of charging stations. The right steps will persuade people to shift to electric vehicles sooner than what different agencies have forecasted.
On the other hand, electric vehicle manufacturers need to offer EVs to meet different customers’ needs in all vehicle segments. They should also work towards lowering electric car prices, probably closer to the ICEs to encourage new car buyers for EVs.
