Advance Electric Car Buying Guide: Things to Know Before Buying an Electric Car

Price, range, and maintenance costs are just a few of the factors to consider before purchasing an electric car.

Advance Electric Car Buying Guide: Things to Know Before Buying an Electric Car
Electric Car Buying Guide

Electric vehicles are all the rage these days, and among the many forms they've taken in recent years, electric cars stand out as the apex of battery-powered vehicles. The reasons are simple: they have the longest range, the most power an electric motor can produce, and provide the most luxurious commute possible. All of this is frequently packaged in a futuristic ambience for the passenger, with enormous screens in the front, eye-catching interiors, and cutting-edge driver assistance systems to make the journey a breeze.

These arrows argue that electric vehicles should sell like hotcakes. They might if it weren't for the exorbitant price tags linked to them in comparison to the IC engine options. The requirement for huge batteries accounts for a large portion of this expense, and as EV manufacturers strive to expand the range of their vehicles, this cost will only rise. At least until battery manufacturing techniques improve and costs are reduced.

Buying an electric vehicle is thus not for everyone. Choosing the appropriate electric car for you might take time, study, and a lot of creativity, despite the fact that it is a highly appealing prospect, especially with the rising expense of fuel. To make this process easier for you, we've developed a list of absolute musts to consider when choosing your next electric vehicle. These critical features apply regardless of the price range or capabilities of electric vehicles and should assist you with any budget you may have in mind. Of course, the budget is an important consideration. Continue reading if you're one of them.

Advance Electric Car Buying Guide: Things to Know Before Buying an Electric Car

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1. Range

The single most important aspect in determining the finest electric car for you. If you've been following the recent developments in the field of electric vehicles, you'll notice that automakers are emphasizing this as a must-have feature on their top models. Electric cars with a claimed range of over 500 kilometers on a single charge are already on the market, and if you have the cash, there is nothing stopping you or your EV from getting there.

The Hyundai Kona, which can travel up to 484 kilometers on a single charge, and the recently announced Tata Nexon EV Max, which can travel 437 kilometers in a similar scenario, are two instances of such EVs in India. In addition, the MG-ZS EV has a range of 461 kilometers when fully charged. Of course, real-world performance suffers, but any of these electric cars should be able to travel far over 400 kilometers without stopping for a charge. It's a simple run from Delhi to Shimla in one go.

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On the other side, if you're stuck with an EV that only travels a short distance on a single charge, you'll probably spend a lot of your time not traveling. Simply said, recharging an electric vehicle is more difficult than refueling a gasoline or diesel vehicle. It takes time, even in the quickest charging conditions, well over an hour. So you can't drive an electric car without organizing your charging schedule ahead of time. This leads us to the following point.

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Advance Electric Car Buying Guide: Things to Know Before Buying an Electric Car

2. Fast Charging

People typically focus on the range because EV manufacturers emphasize it so much, and they fail to check this important feature in an EV. Your vacation plans won't be as spontaneous as you'd like if your electric car travels large distances but takes a long time to recharge. Choose an electric vehicle that charges from 0 to 100% in the shortest amount of time.

The top electric cars in India charge from 0 to 80% in 1 hour, according to industry norms. In the samples above, the Kona charges its battery in 54 minutes using a 100 kW DC charger. The Nexon EV Max takes 56 minutes to charge from zero to eighty percent using a standard 50kW DC fast charger, whereas the MG-ZS EV takes only 50 minutes.

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3. EV Type

If this is your first foray into the world of electric cars, you should be aware that there is no single model available. EV is a catch-all phrase for four different vehicle types: totally electric, hybrids with an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, plug-in hybrids that may run on the motor alone, and finally fuel-cell EVs like the Toyota Mirai.

While the main operating principle is similar in all varieties, the practical application varies greatly, and each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. A hybrid engine can help you get more mileage out of your gasoline automobile, while a plug-in hybrid can use both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor at different times, giving you more alternatives. A fuel-cell vehicle can be refueled with Hydrogen in minutes, however, finding a Hydrogen refueling station in India will be difficult. So make an informed decision based on your needs.

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4. Brand

While the main operating principle is similar in all varieties, the practical application varies greatly, and each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. A hybrid engine can help you get more mileage out of your gasoline automobile, while a plug-in hybrid can use both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor at different times, giving you more alternatives. A fuel-cell vehicle can be refueled with Hydrogen in minutes, however, finding a Hydrogen refueling station in India will be difficult. So make an informed decision based on your needs.

To give you an idea, Tata is one of the major players in the Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh pricing bracket. Mahindra graces this market as well, with its eVerito, which costs less than Rs 10 lakh. Then there are overseas brands such as Hyundai, Kia, and MG Motors, which sell premium electric cars for between Rs 20 and Rs 30 lakh. The most expensive models, from Audi, BMW, and Porsche, cost well over Rs 1 crore.

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5. Performance

Electric vehicles offer a significant advantage over petrol or diesel vehicles in this regard, given to the instant torque they can generate. You may have noticed this in the numerous drag races between Tesla and high-performance automobiles. As a result, torque may not be the most important performance factor to consider. But what about the rest of the details?

For example, top speed differs from EV to EV. While electric scooters have a bad reputation, electric cars may provide a true rush if you need them. Example? The Tigor EV has a top speed of 120 kmph per hour, but the Nexon EV Max has a top speed of 140 kmph per hour, while the Mercedes Benz EQC has a top speed of 180 kmph per hour.

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6. Battery warranty

Electric cars have powerful batteries and avoid the problems that plague electric scooters, such as battery explosions. However, because batteries are the most expensive component of an electric car, a minor fault in them might put your automobile to a halt, you should examine the guarantee that the EV maker provides on its vehicle.

As a result, it's a good idea to be careful and get a long-term battery guarantee for your next electric car. The battery on most electric vehicles comes with an eight-year warranty or up to 1.6 lakh kilometers of use. If you see a figure lower than this, you might want to reconsider your decision to buy an electric vehicle.

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7. After-sales service

Again, based on the small number of well-known brands available, it's a simple decision to make. Even if you are confident in the quality of service provided for your electric vehicle, you should verify the location of service centers and the convenience with which you can access them. Additionally, it would be beneficial to know if the dealer or brand offers emergency roadside help, as electric cars cannot always be repaired by conventional mechanics if they break down.

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8. Maintenance cost

In addition to knowing how much your EV's service will cost you in the long term, you should also know how much its maintenance will cost you. Know that, in general, EV maintenance is far less expensive than IC engine vehicles because there are far fewer mechanical parts in operation. In the long run, though, a clear breakdown of when and how much your EV will require from you will be really beneficial.

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9. Driver assistance systems

These days, electric cars are frequently regarded as the pinnacle of automotive technology. This implies your next one will have several cutting-edge features, such as a huge infotainment system, cutting-edge connectivity options, and, most crucially, essential driver-assist systems. You might want to look into which electric car gives the most value for money, as these will undoubtedly make your journeys safer and easier.

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10. Luxury features

Electric cars have a lot to offer for individuals seeking luxury in their vehicles, but their value is mostly determined by their price. Individual climate control, lighting systems, ventilated seats, voice command support, wireless charging, and so on, you name it, and an electric car on the market will almost certainly have everything.

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11. Price

It all boils down to how much money you're willing to spend on your next electric vehicle. Given the many price ranges in which the current EV products fall, there's a good chance you'll find one that suits both your tastes and your budget. Of course, you'll have to pay more than you would for an internal combustion engine, but it's a well-known fact that an EV pays for itself over time by saving you money on refueling. Calculate how much you can invest in the beginning to maximize your future gains.

Advance Electric Car Buying Guide: Things to Know Before Buying an Electric Car

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