In this article, we will discuss the 10 things to know when buying an electric vehicle and other important points. The wave of electric vehicles is shining the Indian automobile industry. People are choosing electric vehicles because they are environmentally friendly. Electric vehicles run on electricity, and when you drive your car and accelerate, it runs like an automatic vehicle. Electric vehicles use renewable energy to run, that is why they do not emit any harmful gases. It has fewer moving parts, so it is easy to maintain.
If you compare your electric vehicle to a traditional vehicle, you will find that EVs are better than gasoline vehicles in many ways. Less pollution leads to a greener environment, and a green environment helps to make you happy. EVs play a vital role in making the environment eco-friendly. As people are aware of global warming and its effects, they are not hesitating to shift to electric mobility for the betterment of the environment. Consumers are looking forward to new technology, so they are accepting the new concept of EVs.
It is the era of EV, the automobile companies are working hard to make people aware of the benefits of EVs so that it will not be difficult for people to switch to EV. Owning an electric car can be a good choice. There are more than 40 plus models available in the market for electric cars, and many more are coming soon. It has additional desirable features such as a high-resolution display, automatic wipers, etc.
Below are the10 Things To Know When Buying An Electric Vehicle
Whenever we talk about the benefits of electric vehicles, the first thing that comes to mind is their eco-friendly nature. The enormous demand for EVs attracts the attention of other users too. EVs are operated silently and are free from noise and air pollution.
Choosing an electric car can be a difficult task. If you are not aware of the basics of an EV, here are the points to consider before buying an electric vehicle :
- Price of an EV
- Government Initiatives And Incentives
- Charging Station And Charging Time
- Driving Range
- Battery Life And Warranty
- Software Update With Net Connectivity
- Maintenance And Other Costs
- Insurance For Electric Vehicles
- Brand And Model
- Energy Consumption
Now we will discuss the above Specs To Consider while Buying an Electric Vehicle in detail
1. Price of an EV
One of the major differences between an electric vehicle and a traditional vehicle is the high price. Its biggest reason is battery life. The material that a battery is composed of comes from all over the globe. The use of advanced technology makes its price high, but as soon as the demand for EVs increases, their cost will surely come down in the coming years. Even then, its numerous features make it better than a gasoline vehicle. Before buying an electric vehicle, you should be ready to lose your pocket.
2. Government Initiatives and Incentives
Although there is no doubt that electric vehicles are costlier than traditional vehicles, if you have knowledge about the incentives that are being offered by the government, it will reduce the overall cost of the electric vehicle. Increasing global warming is one of the biggest reasons that the government is promoting it, and going electric is a feasible option.
The good point is that now people are aware of EVs new and advanced technology, that is why their popularity is increasing day by day. Another reason for their awareness is the initiative and incentives provided by the government. FAME India and PLI schemes were initiated by the government to make India an EV hub (external/internal link to FAME and PLI).
3. Charging Station And Charging Time
A charging station is a significant and reliable tool for EV drivers. Finding as many EV chargers as fuel stations is also a tedious task for EV users.
There are three types of chargers, such as level 1, level 2, and level 3, or fast chargers, available in the market. Level 3, or fast charger, takes less time to charge an electric vehicle compared to levels 1 and 2, but the charging of levels 1 and 2 is cheaper than level 3. Level-1 and Level-2 charging techniques are feasible and simple to implement at home. An important distinction that you must know about charging stations is that AC chargers depend on onboard chargers to convert AC power into DC, whereas DC power charges the battery itself.
Charging your electric vehicle depends on the charging power and battery capacity of your vehicle. Before buying an electric vehicle, you must be aware of all the facts about charging time and stations, and then consider which one would be best suited for your car. You must be aware of charging ports, charging types, payment methods, EV charger infrastructure, network connectivity, etc. before buying an electric vehicle.
4. Driving Range
The driving range is the distance that you have covered with your EV. There cannot be a single correct answer when we talk about the range of an electric vehicle. The driving range depends on many factors, such as the capacity of the battery, how the electric vehicle is driven, acceleration, etc. By driving smoothly, you can increase the driving range of your electric vehicle.
Driving Range can go anywhere from 100 kilometers to 400 kilometers on one charge. You can talk to someone who has bought an EV to get an idea about the driving range. Before buying a vehicle, you should keep in mind what factors affect the driving range, and you should take care of those while driving it.
5. Battery Life And Warranty
As we have already discussed, the EV battery is not only the most significant component but also the most expensive part of the electric vehicle. To maximize the life of the battery, you should avoid complete charging. EV car batteries can last 8–10 years depending on their usage, such as by maintaining an optimal battery charge and avoiding highly hot and cold temperatures, which negatively affect the life of the battery.
Mostly all the manufacturers provide a warranty on the battery, but it depends on the driving distance, and even then, it varies according to the company. So, whatever company’s car you are planning to buy, you should know all these things before buying it.
6. Software Update with Internet Connectivity
If you are planning to go outside, you must install software that provides information about the availability of charging stations, the charging speed of your EV, etc., and for this, there must be proper connectivity to the net in your mobile phone. Check which company is providing which software to get an update on all these things. There are various types of electric vehicle charging apps available in the market based on your requirements.
7. Maintenance and other Costs
You know that the maintenance cost of an electric vehicle is not as high as that of a traditional vehicle, but even then, it needs maintenance, and if you do not maintain it properly, it will not work efficiently. Because it has fewer moving parts that do not require any fluids or filters, its servicing and upkeep costs are lower. If any part of the vehicle breaks down, the repair cost is high. Besides maintenance costs, some additional costs are also added to this, such as if you want to buy a home charger to get your vehicle charged at home; in this case, its installation and maintenance charges can add up.
There are fewer mechanics available to handle EV breakdowns. You should be aware of all this, before you are planning to buy an electric car.
8. Insurance For Electric Vehicles
Buying an electric car brings you numerous benefits, but you should also think about getting your electric vehicle insured to protect it from damages and losses. The main purpose of insurance is to give you financial security. It is useful if any accident occurs or your vehicle gets destroyed by a natural or man-made disaster. Although there are many companies that provide electric vehicle insurance, before taking it, you should know all the terms and conditions and what they cover.
Third-party insurance is necessary for every vehicle that runs on the road, but it gives security to the third person whose car or other vehicle you have damaged. Comprehensive insurance provides coverage for your car’s damage and legal responsibilities.
Before buying an electric vehicle, you should ensure that your insurance policy has IDV (Insured Declare Value) set, as this is the amount that your insurer will provide you during the claim. The insurance of an electric vehicle is more expensive compared to that of an internal combustion engine, but it is important not to skip the insurance of your electric vehicle.
9. Brand and Model of an Electric Vehicle
Before buying an electric vehicle, you must first make up your mind which brand and model you want. There are many automobile companies that produce electric vehicles, such as Tata Motors, Mahindra Electric Mobility, Kia Motors, Lohia Auto, Ashok Leyland Electric, etc., and they offer different prices. Keeping your budget in mind, you can go for brand and model.
10. Energy Consumption
You should know how much electricity is consumed by your electric vehicle. The energy consumption of an EV depends on various factors, such as driving habits and the capacity of electric vehicles (large or tiny). When you drive your vehicle in the city, it consumes more energy compared to driving on the highways. Changes in weather also affect the consumption of energy. The consumption of energy increases in the cold climate, while it decreases in the hot climate. The energy consumption of an electric vehicle also affects its running cost.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that the market for electric vehicles is expanding further, and a variety of electric vehicles are available on the market. The future of electric vehicles is promising, with growing awareness and improvements in battery technology. Even then, electric vehicles are expensive to buy, and the manufacturers are making every possible effort to make them affordable for the common man.
Safety measures are an important point that you must consider before buying an electric vehicle. You are supposed to match your requirements before buying an electric vehicle. Before experiencing your own electric car, if you keep these factors in your mind, then driving an electric car can be enjoyable for you.
