Learn 10 Things To Consider Before Buying An Electric Vehicle

So, before buying an EV, it would be wise to look at your budget first.

 

 2. PRACTICALITY

While buying an EV, one should ask oneself that is it even practical for them? The answer may vary from person to person, depending upon their circumstances. If you are someone who does not have to travel long distances a lot, for, say, work or college/school or anything, then you can indeed proceed. But if you are someone who wants to go on long road trips or have a long daily commute, then you should probably give this a second thought because most EVs do not have a long-range, and the availability of charging stations also matters. The battery life of these vehicles also varies. You wouldn’t want to be stranded in the middle of nowhere now, would you? Although these conditions are being improved, it will still take some time but would still prove a good option for some.

3. HYBRID EV/ FULLY ELECTRIC

If you want to be on the energy-saving path but at the same time also want to make sure to be on the safer side if you run out of battery, then hybrid EVs are the best option for you. A plug-in hybrid EV has an electric motor, a battery, an internal combustion motor, and a gas tank. Examples are Cadilac ELR, Chevrolet Volt. In addition to an electric engine, a parallel hybrid EV also has an internal combustion motor which kicks in only when speed increases. Examples include Lexus UK, Toyota Prius. The electric engine charges while you drive along. The probability of finding a gas station on the road is much more than finding a charging station. In the case of fully electric cars, there is no backup option if it gets discharged and the charging station is far off.

 

 4. CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE

It is still considered an ideal scenario in which EVs are expected to function perfectly as currently, there are not enough charging stations. This can be a significant problem while traveling long distances far from the major cities. Some people have come up with the solution to this problem by installing charging stations in their homes. So you can sleep peacefully at night and find your EV fully charged the following day. But the cost of installation ranges from 1000$-2500$, depending on your area, the charging station, and whether it is portable or not. Not to mention the hit your electricity bill would take. Going for a solar charging station is another option, but it may cost you more than a 1000$.

 5. DRIVING RANGE

This is the primary concern of the consumers as EVs generally don’t offer a great driving range as that of fuel-based vehicles. The highest range is 620 miles provided by Tesla Roadster, which comes with a high price. Other Tesla models give a range of 300-350 miles. All different standard EVs’ driving range is between 200-300 miles. It is suitable for those who don’t travel a lot, and if you want to take frequent long road trips or have to travel long distances daily, you might reconsider your options.