What to Consider When Buying a Used Electric Vehicle
Buying any car can be difficult. But buying a used electric vehicle (EV) may seem even harder.
Here are five tips the experts at car website Edmunds shared with The Associated Press.
An EV usually costs less to charge and drive than paying to fill up the tank. But you'll need to look at the numbers to find out exactly how much you could save.
Remember that electricity costs can vary depending on where you live and how you charge.
EVs may get you tax breaks
Some countries offer tax breaks or subsidies to encourage people to buy EVs.
However, you'll have to check the rules before you buy a used car, as the offers can depend on the country you're buying from, the type of car you get and whether or not you buy from a dealer.
Used EVs will have less range than new EVs
An analysis of 6,300 EVs by transport company Geotab said that the rate of battery degradation was 2.3% per year.
This is something to consider, especially as many used EVs don't have a lot of range to begin with.
For example, at the 2.3% degradation rate, a car that had a 270-kilometer maximum range when new might be down to 240 kilometers after five years.
But that range can still be enough
A used EV can be a great addition to a household that already owns another vehicle. Many families buy an EV to use as a daily vehicle for getting to work or school if they have another vehicle that will work when a longer range is needed.
That idea saves money on energy costs and may allow them to buy a less costly EV with a shorter range.
Think about the cost of a home charger
Owning an EV is easiest when you can charge it at home. Charge times depend on a number of different things, but Edmunds recommends getting a home 240-volt charging setup.
It's a lot quicker and more convenient than trying to charge an EV with a regular 120-volt power cord or relying on public charging stations.
