Are you in the market for your first electric vehicle? It’s a situation many people find themselves in as the price of petrol continues to climb and they look for ways to go greener in life. An electric vehicle gives you all conveniences of a traditional petrol-powered vehicle but with added benefits. And while it’s easy to get wrapped up in the excitement of the big-ticket purchase, there are some things worth noting before you make a decision.
Here are a few things you’ll need to know before buying your first electric car.
You Have Choices Nowadays – There’s No Need to Settle
When electric vehicles were first introduced to the market, consumers had very little in terms of choices. This meant there were a couple of models to choose from and that was it. Today you’ll find there is quite an impressive array of makes and models in various price points. This means you can go into the process with a must-have list and expect to fulfil it.
With that said, there are some makes and models that have created a very strong brand image, so you may be tempted to start by checking them out first.
There Are Used Models Also Available
Because electric vehicles have been around for a while now, the used market is starting to grow. This means you can look at vehicles that are pre-owned and save yourself a fair amount of money, making the purchase affordable now instead of having to wait.
What Kind of Driver Are You?
It’s also important to ask yourself what kind of driver you are and whether an electric vehicle would suit your lifestyle. While it’s true that eventually all cars will shift to electric vehicles, that’s still many years away so you still have a little bit of time.
The way that electric vehicles are built right now, they tend to suit those who make short journeys the best. This will of course change in the coming years as more and more charge stations are installed. This will make driving longer distances easier and more practical.
If you live in a larger city then you may notice an influx of charging stations, even at business parks that tend to employ large amounts of people. This gives you the ability to top up your vehicle while you’re working.
Recognise that Cold Weather Can Reduce the Mileage
While looking at the specifics on the vehicle it will outline the miles you can go between charges. Keep in mind that during the coldest months of the winter, that total will take a hit and you won’t be able to drive as far before needing a charge.
Do You Need a Home Charger?
The question of whether you need a home charger is simple: yes, you do. Right now it’s relatively easy to find open charge stations but because interest in these vehicles is steadily growing and will continue to do so, open charge stations will start to be harder to find. Even as they build more stations, the demand may outpace available stations, at least in the short term. Having a charger at home means you will be able to plug it in whenever it’s not in use and depart your home with a top-up or even a full charge depending on how fast it takes to charge.
As for installing the charger at home, this is a process that is also becoming easier. A home charger varies in price and tends to include the fitment in it. The installation can be done by an engineer.
What About Electric Car Insurance?
Did you know that insuring your electric vehicle is very simple thanks to the fact that you don’t need any special type of vehicle insurance? This makes it easy to find a policy, but there is one thing you may want to add to it. Because the battery is such an integral component of the vehicle, many electric car owners choose a policy that covers batteries.
There are a few other things worth looking for in the policy as well such as coverage for charging cables and providing a lift to a charge station if needed. As with any car insurance policy, it needs to be comprehensive and provide you with as much coverage as possible at a reasonable rate.
How Do Maintenance Costs Compare?
You may also be curious about the maintenance costs, which tend to be cheaper on an electric vehicle. That’s not to say it won’t ever need repairs, but when they do require work it tends to be faster and simpler – which means less money spent.
If you’re in the market for a new vehicle and you have your eyes set on an electric model it could be the right time to make the move. Eventually, drivers won’t have an option, so it’s just a question of whether an electric vehicle would fit with your current lifestyle and budget.