Buying an electric car? You should know this
EVs are slowly gathering pace in the country with more buyers moving towards electrification. With subsidies and tax benefits from the government to assist, it is becoming light on the buyers’ pockets to own an EV. However, like every other car that you buy, it is not just going to the showroom and picking a car. There are ins and outs to consider while buying an EV. So, in today’s article, we talk about things that you should know while buying an electric car.
Battery & Performance
Unlike your usual ICE car, EVs are powered through batteries. They don’t possess a mechanical engine, thus resulting in zero emissions and a silent driving experience. Due to the usage of batteries, power is transferred to the wheels with the help of motors linked to the axles. Electrical energy is converted into kinetic energy by motors almost instantly. This results in instantaneous torque as soon as you hit the accelerator pedal. So, you should take note of the battery capacity and motor output. This will help you get a better idea about performance as well as the battery output.
Buying electric car – Range
The main concern of buyers while considering an EV is its range. An EV’s ability to cover a set distance with a full charged battery is known as its range. Generally, an EV can extract around 70% to 75% of its claimed range. This depends on real-world driving conditions such as traffic, load, and also weather. EVs can be charged with the help of AC and DC chargers but the latter is the faster option. You should clearly take a note of what the company’s claimed range is. This will help you get an approximate idea about the final range.
Maintenance and Reliability
Lack of traditional transmission and engine further reduces ownership costs as you don’t have to lighten your wallet to pay for engine oil, air filter, fuel filter, transmission fluid, and other consumables. The main component here is the battery. It is the most valuable component of an EV. Most manufacturers provide upto 8 years of warranty for their batteries, depending on the voltage and power.
Usually, these batteries are placed on the floor of the car for optimum weight distribution. This doesn’t damage your driving experience as these are safeguarded properly. The batteries also come with an waterproof rating so you can take your EV on water-accumulated roads as per the vehicle’s water wading capacity.
Buying electric car – Pricing and Options
Prices of the EVs are slightly on the higher side but companies are planning to make EVs more affordable for mass buyers. The sole advantage of an EV is its running cost. You pay a premium amount during the purchase, but later save on fuel costs. Many brands sell EVs in the country with more to come. The ones currently available are Tata Nexon EV, Hyundai Kona EV, MG ZS EV, Tata Tigor EV, Jaguar I-Pace, Volvo XC-40 Recharge & more.
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