5 Things You Should Know Before You Buy an Electric Vehicle

If you are thinking of getting an electric car as your next vehicle, you are not alone. EVs have been growing in popularity for a good while, but the demand for them has exploded lately because of the massive increases in fuel costs. Electric vehicles are also much more stylish than they used to be, and most manufacturers now have a good selection to choose from. But, before you buy an electric vehicle, you have to know a thing or two about them first. Here’s what you should know before you buy an electric vehicle.

You Can Take Advantage of Multiple Schemes

You should know that the government offers all sorts of incentives for the purchase of an electric vehicle and electric vehicle-related equipment. You can get a plug-in grant of £2,500 for any approved electric vehicle under the £35,000 mark. You can also get a voucher for installing a new generation electric charger at your home. So, look up the different scheme options available and make sure that any vehicle you pick is eligible for the rewards first.

Leasing Might be a Better Option than Buying

Another thing you should consider is getting a lease instead of buying the vehicle new. The main reason for this is depreciation. You may not know this yet, but electric vehicles depreciate at a faster rate than traditional vehicles, and while they are a great deal right now, leasing a vehicle would allow you to avoid depreciation and only concentrate on your monthly costs.

There are many benefits to leasing any kind of vehicle too. You won’t have to worry about repairs, and you’ll always be driving a vehicle with the best features and the most efficiency. If you’re curious about leasing an electric vehicle and you think it could be a good idea, you can use this article for guidance.

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Older Electric Vehicles Will Require More Research

If you are thinking of buying an older electric vehicle so you can make some savings it could be a good idea, but you have to be careful with these. There are big differences between more recent electric vehicles and older ones, which is why it’s always better to get an electric vehicle that was produced five years ago or less.

If you absolutely want to buy a vehicle that is older than that, you will need to look at the energy consumption stats for that vehicle and make sure that the battery is in good shape. The battery is the most important component of an electric vehicle and replacing it could account for as much as 30% of the value of the vehicle.

Another point against older EVs is that you may have trouble finding a buyer once you’re done with it. If the vehicle starts to be outdated now, you can only imagine how outdated it will be three or four more years down the line. This is why we suggest that you either buy a newer vehicle or lease a new one if you’re worried about costs.

Electric Vehicles are More Reliable

One thing you should know about electric vehicles is that they are much less likely to break down than your average vehicle. This is because they have very few moving parts. They don’t require that you take them to the garage every 3000 miles since there are no parts that require motor oil. You won’t have to worry about fixing or repairing radiators, changing spark plugs, or making coolant changes either.

You have to know, however, that these vehicles still require maintenance, and you should start doing your research on garages that can serve them in your area before you buy one. Not all people know how to fix these vehicles, and things might become more difficult if you're in a rural area. So, do your research now and start enquiring whether the people you know can fix them so you can get a quote on some common repairs.

Check Your Grid Situation

Another thing you have to do before you buy an electric vehicle is to check the state of your grid and your driving habits. If you live in a densely populated city and you have electric chargers near or at your place of business, this is not something you will have to worry about, but it could be if you live in the country. So pick up an app like Zap-Map to get a clear view of all the charging stations around your area.

Electric vehicles have tons of things to offer and could allow you to save a lot of money on car running costs. They do have their peculiarities, however, and you should know about them before you start your search so that you'll be satisfied with your purchase.