Buying an Electric Vehicle: 5 Things to Know Before Your Purchase

Electric cars, a topic of increasing interest, are becoming more prevalent as the number of battery-powered vehicles on the road continues to climb each year. Estimates suggest that electric cars will account for upwards of 5% of vehicle sales this year. In countries like Norway, a staggering 80% of new cars purchased were powered by electricity. With figures like these, it's safe to say that electric vehicles aren't just a passing trend, so you might be considering making the transition yourself. If you're curious about adopting an electric vehicle but feel a bit hesitant, our helpful guide will provide all the details you need to assist in your decision-making process.

Battery Size

Deciding what battery size you'll need should be one of the first things you consider when purchasing an electric vehicle. Though it can sound a little confusing if you don't fancy yourself as an expert on cars, all you need to think about is the kind of distances you typically cover when driving. Simply put, the bigger the battery, the greater the range of the car. If you have a short commute to and from work and rarely travel for hours at a time, a small battery that will last for around 125 miles (200 km) will certainly suffice. Alternatively, those of you who'll likely need to cover more ground in one journey will prefer vehicles with larger batteries. Depending on the size you need, you'll find that many high-end models allow you to drive for over 435 miles (700 km) with a single charge. Naturally, the size of the battery directly corresponds to the total cost of the vehicle. As a result, opting for a car with a substantial battery size can be wasteful unless you frequently make lengthy journeys.

Charging Points

A bone of contention for many thinking of switching to electric vehicles is the availability of charging stations. The most convenient, and often most cost-efficient, option is to install a charging point in your home. That way, you can power up your car overnight and set off with a full battery in the mornings. Unfortunately, this isn't always applicable to drivers living in apartment buildings or multi-unit properties. In that case, you'll need to rely on public charging stations to top up your battery. Although this can be relatively straightforward in some locations, it can be quite a challenge if you live in an area with limited infrastructure for electric vehicles. This is also something to remember if you're planning a long journey that will require you to recharge along the way, as you'll need to research where you can plug in your car on your route. In some cases, you may also need to wait for other electric car owners to finish using the station before you're able to connect your own vehicle.

Costs

As with any major purchase, the cost of securing an electric vehicle is among the first things most of us take into account. Similar to buying a traditional car, prices can vary quite a bit depending on where you're getting the vehicle from and what model you choose. In general, it's thought that while electric cars have a higher initial price tag than their fuel-powered counterparts, they can save you cash in the long run. This is due to the price of gas and the maintenance required to keep a standard car operating. Switching to an electric car also allows you to cut back on upkeep costs for things like oil changes, gearbox issues, and brake pads. However, one significant cost that many customers don't realize until much later is the price of replacing a battery for an electric vehicle. Depending on the type of car, a new battery will set you back between $5,000 and $20,000, which is incredibly costly compared to fuel-using motors. It's believed that these prices will decrease in time, but at present, batteries will cost you quite a sum of money to change.

Environmental Impact

A huge draw for many environmentally-conscious customers to electric vehicles is their lower emissions. When compared to cars that rely on fuel, these alternatives produce a fraction of the harmful gasses and can significantly reduce your carbon footprint. It's widely accepted that an electric car's day-to-day operation is much less damaging to the planet. Better yet, if you charge your vehicle at a station powered by solar or wind power, your impact is lessened even more. Yet, in recent years, some have suggested that the manufacturing process required to make these vehicles and the metals their batteries come with environmental concerns of their own. Lithium is used extensively in electric motor batteries, and its extraction is thought to be unsustainable. Mining this metal releases large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, and improper disposal of these batteries can be highly toxic.

Hybrid Models

If you're unsure of whether to take the plunge on a fully battery-powered car, you'll find that hybrids are excellent substitutes. Hybrid cars operate using both an electric motor and an engine, meaning you'll enjoy many benefits of both types of vehicles. The engine in a hybrid acts as a generator, using gas to power and recharge the battery. This is why hybrids are often described as self-charging vehicles. When possible, hybrids will run off just the motor, which is more fuel-efficient than using the engine. Similar to entirely electric cars, hybrids generally need less maintenance and are more lightweight. Like traditional and electric cars, hybrids also have disadvantages. Some factors to keep in mind are the initial cost of these vehicles and the likelihood of the car's reduced performance ability.

Is Switching to an Electric Car the Right Choice for You?

Now that you've gathered all the necessary details, you can make an informed decision on whether adapting to an electric vehicle is the best move for you. With so many variables to consider, including budget and charging infrastructure, it's important to consider how feasible these progressively popular motors are for you and your lifestyle.