For years, electric vehicles seemed like something that only the wealthiest among us would be able to own.
With companies now actively seeking more sustainable practices, the jump to making commercially available electric cars has begun. As we prepare for EVs to become the standard, here’s what to know before buying an electric vehicle.
Tax Credits and Incentives
The government provides monetary and tax breaks that make it cheaper to buy an electric vehicle. When you decide to buy an environmentally friendly vehicle, it’s critical to make sure you calculate the exact amount of the incentives and tax deductions you can earn. At the time of writing, depending on where you are and the type of electric vehicle you buy, you could be looking at a tax credit of up to $12,500.
Necessary Maintenance
If you are considering getting an electric automobile, you should know that upkeep is vital. The EV will not run at peak performance if you don’t keep it properly maintained. Electric vehicles are more straightforward to maintain than other vehicles because they have fewer moving components than their conventional counterparts.
However, should a failure occur, the repair fees can be pricey. There are only a few options for EV technicians, and you may still be dependent on the manufacturer for servicing for the foreseeable future.
The Vehicle’s Range
If you’re in the market for an electric vehicle, you need to factor in the distance the car can travel while on a single charge. When purchasing a new vehicle, avoid relying on the claimed range of distance it can travel between charges.
Instead, it’s better to research real-world reviews to obtain an accurate impression of the EV’s driving range. For everyday driving, a range of fifty miles should be enough for most cars. For longer drives, and depending on the model you choose, you can get up to around 300 miles on a full charge.
Charging Options
A variety of charging solutions are available for electric cars, with the slowest options taking several days for a full charge and the quickest taking under an hour. Most cities have a limited number of superchargers, and they’re pricey to buy.
Standard and more traditional methods of charging are effective and, if you like, can be installed in your home. You can charge some EVs from your home’s electrical socket. Be sure to examine your car’s charging capabilities before purchase.
This is perhaps the most important thing to know before buying an electric vehicle because if you don’t know where to charge it, your car won’t go very far!