Buying an electric car is a significant investment and a big step if you’ve never ventured into the market before. Sales of electric cars were booming in 2022, with around 267,000 sold in the UK alone, and it doesn’t seem like these figures are going to decline anytime soon.
When choosing a model and type of electric vehicle, it’s important that you weigh up all of your options and understand whether it is the right decision for you. Here we’ve come up with our guide that should help you when buying an electric vehicle in 2023.
Work out the costs
Even the cheapest and most basic models of electric cars are still relatively expensive. Buying one outright might not be possible, so have a look for deals from different retailers. There’s also the option of a Personal Contract Plan (PCP), where you pay an agreed amount each month and decide whether you want to pay the remainder and keep the vehicle at the end of the contract.
Fortunately, pure EVs currently have a zero rate of Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), meaning you don’t need to pay road tax. Charging the battery of most electric vehicles is also much cheaper than filling up with petrol or diesel; so, if you find yourself constantly wasting money on fuel, an electric car could be a cheaper alternative.
Do your research
There are so many different types of EVs currently on the market, from small city cars to large seven-seater SUVs. Besides the normal considerations like comfort and practicality, you might also want to look into safety features like lane-keeping assist or automatic emergency braking.
It is also worth delving into what each brand of vehicle has to offer. For example, some Vauxhall models come with a battery warranty of 8 years and Vauxhall Connect – a built-in service that allows you to remotely control your vehicle and keep updated with road safety alerts.
With regards to range, you need to consider how often you plan to drive each week and whether these trips will rack up your mileage. The average person typically drives around 20 miles each day, which the majority of electric vehicles easily cover. For example, the Vauxhall Mokka e can last up to 209 miles on a single charge. So, before you set your sights on a highly expensive vehicle with an obscene mile range, it’s worth thinking about what will actually be beneficial for you.
Go for a test drive
Driving an electric vehicle can take some getting used to if you’ve previously only driven petrol- or diesel-powered vehicles. The first thing you’ll likely notice is how quiet the engine is and how quickly the car will travel after being stationary
A feature you may not be used to is regenerative braking. This harvests the energy usually lost from braking and uses it to charge the battery during a journey. Therefore, you may feel the car begin to slow down slightly when you ease off the accelerator.
