If you think an electric vehicle (EV) is going to make a nice addition to your life, you are definitely on the right track. Electric cars are no longer science fiction – everywhere around the world they are making their premier as more and more people realise the importance of preserving the environment.
It is fairly easy to get overwhelmed with too much information about them. If you are no expert on the matter (and few really are), you are going to need all of the advice you can get. The following guide aims to help you at that. Consider each of these points carefully before you initiate a purchase.
- Where to buy from – since EVs are nowadays sold by major manufacturers, the logical place to look for is your local car dealer. Some electric models may not be stocked, in which case you might need to have it ordered in. As a whole, there shouldn’t be a problem with finding an EV, since most manufacturers are planning on launching models in the future so supply will be less of an issue.
- How will you get a car service – consider asking your dealer how you will get your EV serviced. It will be a shame if you have to initiate removal-like operations every time there is a problem, in case your service is farther away than your EV range. One thing is for certain – an EV requires less servicing, since the number of moving parts is reduced.
- How to charge your car – the most important part of an EV is the battery. Recharging it requires an electricity point in your home or one out and about. Assuming that your car is not equipped with a conventional engine and generator, you will have to charge up often. With that in mind, long distance relocation is likely out of the question, unless you can charge the battery up on the road. Fully charging may take anywhere between 6-10 hours.
- What is the range of your car – the range is an indication of how far your EV can go without recharging. On average, electric cars can travel 100-200 miles between charges, but there are many factors that can change this distance. Such include hot and cold weather, lots of braking and acceleration, age of the battery and others.
- What warranties you need to look for – most importantly, you have to look for a warranty that covers the battery and electric components of the vehicle. Normally you would expect warranties between 5 and 8 years, so anything below that is no good.
- What about shipping your car – should you need relocation of your EV, you have to consider that certain transport companies will not carry electric cars. Curious enough, the main reason for this is that companies don’t know enough about EVs and that there is in fact no difference in transporting such vehicles as opposed to traditional cars. If you are faced with removal and need to have your car shipped, look for a company that will not charge extra just because your vehicle is electric.
Take all of this into consideration and make the switch to an electric vehicle today. You will find that an EV offers quite an enjoyable ride. Soon enough you will know that you have made the right decision.
