The Best Electric Car Buying Guide | EVs Buying Guide

Electric vehicles are nowadays connected with luxury and glamour with silent driving and instant torque that grab the attention of auto enthusiasts globally. So, if you are thinking about buying an Electric car, this guide will help you to choose the right one.

Electric vehicles are expensive in comparison with hybrid or traditional combustion vehicles, but most electric cars have rechargeable batteries as their power source, these are battery packs that have power capacity which is measured in killo-watt hours. Low fuel and low maintenance costs are some of the benefits of owning an electric vehicle.

ELECTRIC CAR BUYING GUIDE

While buying an electric vehicle there are some cautions/warnings you should keep in mind. Those are:-

• Are electric vehicles better for the environment?
• How to Buy Perfect Electric Vehicle Type?
• What types and sizes of Electric vehicles do you prefer?
• Incentives and subsidies for Electric cars given by Government.
• Charging guide for buying Electric Car.
• Maintenance and cost guide for buying EVs.

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• Are Electric Vehicles Better for the Environment?

Talking about the main advantage of EVs is that they produce Zero emissions during driving whereas combustion engine vehicles emit harmful pollutants into the air, that includes carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, and particulate matter which causes smog, acid rain, and respiratory illness too.

Electric vehicles also help to reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions because GHGs are the major contributors to climate change, and transportation is the largest source of emissions. Electric Vehicles are much more energy efficient than combustion vehicles. ICE vehicles convert only 17-21% of the energy stored to use the rotation of wheels where as EVs convert 59-62% of energy from the battery to use the rotation of wheels.

EVs are simpler to manufacture than ICE vehicles, which means few parts and less energy consumption in the production process. They produce zero emissions, low GHG emissions, more energy efficiency, and more environmentally friendly production processes. Though it has some environmental impacts with the production and disposal of batteries, still the benefits of EVs outweigh the negatives. EVs will play a critical role in reducing environmental impact and mitigating the effects of climate change.

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• How to Buy Perfect Electric Vehicle Type?

The very first thing is choosing the right type of EV for yourself. Basically, there are 3 types of EVs in the market they are Battery electric vehicles (BEVs), Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). BEVs runs on electricity, while PHEVs have a gasoline engine that uses once the battery is drained out and HEVs have both electric and gasoline engine that works together.

EVs are more expensive than gas-powered vehicles. Considering the budget the BEVs are more expensive than PHEVs, so for a tight budget, PHEV is a better choice. Driving habits like, if you do a lot of stops and go driving in traffic, or terrain. A BEV with a regenerative braking system may be a good choice, but if you do long-distance driving like on the highway, a PHEV may be a better choice because it provides some additional range during need.

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• What Types and Sizes of Electric Vehicles do you Prefer?

As electric cars are continuing to gain popularity, automakers are offering a variety of sizes and styles to meet the different types of needs of the driver. If you need a lot of cargo space, a crossover SUV may be a good choice but if you prefer a smaller vehicle, a compact car will be a good option.

• Micro EVs are the smallest EVs on the market, which are designed for short trips around town and for urban commuters. These are typically tiny vehicles that give a top speed of 30-50mph.

• Compact EVs are small cars designed for city driving and are larger than micro EVs. These provide more space for passengers and cargo. These have a top speed of 60mph.

• Mid-size SUVs are larger than compact EVs range about 150-200 miles and reach a top speed of 80mph. These are best for families who need a lot of space for long-distance travel.

• Full-size EVs are large, luxurious, and designed for families with plenty of space for passengers and cargo. These range around 200-300 miles and reach a top speed of 100mph.

• Pickup Trucks are the new edition to the EV market. These vehicles have the same power and utility, but with the added benefit of an electric drivetrain. These range around 250-300 miles and can tow heavy loads.

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• Incentives and Subsidies for Electric Cars given by Government.

In recent years, Governments all over the world have implemented a range of incentives and subsidies to switch to electric vehicles. These are designed to make EVs affordable and accessible to a wide range of people and promote the use of clean energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Tax credits are one of the most common incentives offered by the government to encourage the purchase of EVs. These are applied to the cost price of vehicles or to offset the cost of installing EV charging infrastructure at home.

Zero-emission vehicle credits are earned by automakers for producing EVs and are used with emission regulations. These credits can be sold to other automakers that are not meeting regulatory targets, providing financial incentives.

In some countries, EVs are granted access to high occupancy vehicle lanes when they are occupied by the drivers, this provides an advantage to EV drivers during rush hour traffic and can avoid the congestion of regular traffic lanes.

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• Charging Guide for Buying an Electric Car.

As more and more people are switching to EVs the need for reliable and convenient charging methods is becoming important. Charging methods are of 3 types, they are

• The level-1 charging method is the slowest and most basic type of EV charging using a 120-volt AC household outlet. This charging method is used for overnight charging and provides a range of 3-5 miles of driving per hour of charging.

• Level-2 charging uses a 240-volt AC charging station that provides 25 miles of driving range per hour of charging. This type of charger uses 4-8 hours to fully charge.

• DC Fast Charging is a direct current power source and can charge an EV up to 80% in less than 20-30 minutes. This is often used for long-distance travel.

There are 3 types of EV charging stations also:-

• Residential Charging Stations are designed for homes and private garages and offer level 1 and level 2 charging methods and can be installed by a licensed electrician.

• Workplace Charging Stations are EV charging stations that are placed in parking lots or garages to provide convenient charging for employees of the company. These offer level-2 or DC fast charging methods.

• Public Charging Stations are located in public such as parking lot, shopping malls, and rest areas. They also offer level-2 and DC fast charging and are operated by 3rd party companies.

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• Maintenance and Cost Guide for Buying EVs.

EVs generally offers low maintenance cost than CE vehicles but it's still important to research the maintenance cost of the models you are considering. Some require expensive parts or higher insurance costs. EVs are known for their efficiency, low emissions, and smooth driving experience. The most significant advantage of an EV is lower maintenance cost compared to ICE vehicles.

One of the main reasons for the low maintenance cost of EVs is they have few moving parts than ICE vehicles. In EVs the drivetrain is simpler, no exhaust system or components are found in ICE vehicles. The battery pack in an EV is a critical component that requires maintenance that functions properly, but EVs come with a warranty that covers the battery for several years or certain thousand miles.

EVs are typically easier and less time-consuming to service than ICE vehicles. For example, EVs do not require an oil change, air filter replacements, or routine maintenance that is necessary for the traditional car. Instead of regular maintenance, EV includes brake fluid changes, cabin air filter, and inspection of battery and charging system.



LASTLY, the range of an EV refers that how far the vehicle can travel on a single charge. If you are daily commuting around 80km more or less which most EVs are suitable for. But if you travel long distances then you may consider a longer EV range. Just like other car purchases, it's also very important to test drive multiple models to find the one which is best for you. These have different driving characteristics than traditional combustion engine vehicles. So it is important to feel how they handle on road.


"So be sure to factor these few steps in guiding your decision while buying an electric vehicle."