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Date Posted: 20 June 2024
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A brand new electric car can be an expensive prospect. However, as consumer adoption for these vehicles continues to rise, EVs are changing hands at a faster rate than ever before and in turn growing the supply for second-hand EVs. And it's easy to see the appeal, with perks such as cheaper refuelling, lower tax and maintenance costs.
But as with any second-hand car purchase, it is important to do your research when buying a used EV, with a few additional factors to consider. That's why we have developed a 6-step Buyer's Guide to help you make the switch to electric and pick the best EV for your requirements.
Whilst electric cars are a fantastic solution for some, other drivers could find that a fuel-efficient petrol, diesel or hybrid car is more suitable. It is important to establish the primary use for your vehicle and whether or not an EV would cater to it.
One crucial question to ask yourself is where will you charge it? If you haven't got access to a garage, off-road parking or somewhere to install a charging point, an EV may not be for you.
If the above is not achievable, could you rely on public charging networks? or perhaps, charging your EV at your workplace?
Tip: Make sure to check which charging cables come with your used vehicle. You’re likely to need one cable with a three-pin plug and another cable which is compatible with public charging points, known as a Type 2 connector.
The battery is an EV's most valuable component and just like any battery, effectiveness decreases over time. For many, "Range Anxiety" is a major deterring factor from making the switch to electric. The good news is that because of advancements in battery technology, battery degradation over time has been proven to be minimal. Furthermore, EV batteries come with long manufacturer warranties (up to 8 years).
Make sure to test drive your prospective EV and give special consideration to range and charging time.
Tip: To get a good indication of the vehicles true range, request to switch on everything electrical during your test drive.
It is very important to clarify with a seller whether an electric car is on a battery hire arrangement, or what is described as ‘battery owned' - meaning the price of the car includes the battery. Many first generation EVs were sold without a battery, which then had to be hired separately by owners.
Many electric cars use the friction generated by braking to help recharge the battery. This means an EVs brakes will wear differently to that of a combustion engine vehicle. Therefore, it's important to pay particular attention to the performance of the brakes during the test drive.
Most electric cars come with two warranties; one for the vehicle and a separate (usually longer) one for the battery. Make sure to enquire about each of these as they vary amongst different manufacturers.
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