First-time EV Buyers Should Be Mindful of Avoiding These 9 Mistakes
Electric vehicles (EVs) make your morning commute and road trips more eco-friendly. These cars have become more popular, with bigger and better models coming out yearly.
If you’re a first-time EV buyer, avoiding these nine mistakes is crucial.
1. Forgoing the Test-Drive
Take advantage of test drives when you’re at the dealership or showroom. Even if your research process singles out one vehicle, your time in the driver’s seat tells you how much you’ll like it. EVs are a different drive than internal combustion (IC) vehicles, so hop in and take the car for a spin.
EVs distinguish themselves because of their low center of gravity. With more weight on the bottom, you get better handling and responsiveness. These automobiles are much quieter and give maximum torque at zero revolutions per minute. If you forgo the test-drive, you won’t know if you like these adjustments.
2. Reducing the Range
EV range has improved over the years to be more competitive with IC automobiles. The Department of Energy says 270 miles was the median range for a 2023 EV. In comparison, the median EV in 2017 could only reach 194 miles. That said, first-time drivers could reduce their superb range.
If your EV says its range is 250 miles, that number is your car’s ceiling. You could shave miles off the range by driving too fast, towing a trailer or hauling heavy cargo. EVs are sensitive to these changes, so first-time EV buyers should understand best practices. For instance, you should turn down the heater or use regenerative braking.
3. Underestimating Maintenance Needs
A primary advantage of buying an EV is the reduced maintenance. With fewer moving parts, your car should be easier to care for, but your electric automobile still needs regular service. Not inspecting it could mean trouble down the road.
The most essential part of EV upkeep is the battery. This component is the lifeblood of your car, so you should prioritize its care. Ask an experienced mechanic to check the battery’s health and how the capacity has changed since the first miles you put on the car with diagnostic tools.
4. Leaving Your EV Outside
Consider the climate you live in. If your area experiences extreme heat or cold at any point, your precious auto shouldn’t be outside. While this belief applies to all cars, your electric one is especially vulnerable to the weather.
The weather affects EVs by undermining the battery’s optimal capacity. Imagine your electric car has sat in the sun all day before you decide to leave the house. In this instance, the heat has caused the battery to become hotter and accelerate chemical reactions. Cold winter mornings also adversely affect your EV by making it harder to start and reducing range.
5. Getting an Inefficient Charger
Ensuring your EV has enough charge is essential to getting where you need to go. However, a low-power, inefficient charger could stand in your way. Your brand-new EV may come with a Level 1 charger, which has 120 volts but takes several hours to charge fully. You need more juice.
Level 1 chargers can take 40 or more hours to charge your EV, whereas Level 2 only requires four to 10 hours. These newer devices are great if you plan to use your EV daily and need quicker refills.
6. Not Planning Your Charging Habits
The world’s charging infrastructure is expanding in parallel with the EV market worldwide. While there may be more charging stations, you must still plan your charging habits and ensure your battery has enough range. Not doing so could leave you stuck in the garage, wondering how you’ll get to work.
If you have one at home, you can plug in your EV before bed and wake up to a full battery. Without an at-home charger, you may need to find a local public charging station for a session. Modern EV ranges mean you may only have to make one weekly trip, but it’s still necessary to plan.
7. Misunderstanding Charging Compatibility
If you misunderstand charging compatibility, you could be out of luck and searching for a useful device as your battery’s running low. Some cars require specific chargers, so new EV owners should incorporate them into their charging plan.
For instance, Teslas have a specific design that requires them to use the automaker’s superchargers. You can only use stations outside the network by purchasing a charging adapter. Other examples include the Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, which use CHAdeMO technology. Before you buy, check the specs for your new EV.
8. Ignoring the Tax Rebates
EVs can be expensive because of the new technologies and lower market competition than IC cars. While affordability should improve, there are ways to reduce the burden that some buyers don’t take advantage of. For instance, you can get tax rebates up to $7,500 based on the battery capacity. Incentives also apply if you install a home charging station.
The federal tax credits for buying a qualifying EV apply to all 50 states. Depending on the policies, you could seek additional incentives on the state and local levels. Regardless, the auto landscape is changing to favor EVs. Some cities offer free or discounted parking for EVs, incentivizing people to make the electric switch.
9. Limiting Yourself to New EVs
EV technology is relatively novel, so first-time buyers may want to buy a new one off the lot. However, you don’t have to limit yourself to this selection. Used electric cars can be just as good while cutting the price tag. Experts say the average cost of a new EV is $55,105 — about $6,000 more than gas-powered autos.
If you limit yourself to new EVs, you could pay way more than your budget allows. Considering they don’t need as much maintenance, you can worry less about wear and tear in used electric cars. That said, inspecting them thoroughly and ensuring they’re ready to drive is still worth your time.
Making the Right EV Decisions
EVs have become more attractive to consumers because of their environmental friendliness and increased capabilities. If you’re in the market for one, you have more options to find what fits your lifestyle, but don’t let the excitement blind you. First-time buyers should prioritize research and forming plans to buy and care for their EVs.
