4 tips for those who are going to buy a used electric car

1. Start from your needs

Start by thinking about what you need from a car. Should the car be small or do you need space for many people? Here it might be a good idea to think about your need for a car in everyday life. Even if you go to the mountains for a week a year, the trip to and from work may not require a seven-seater minibus. Another aspect that might be good to start with is whether the car will mainly be driven in an urban environment or in the countryside. With that, we move on to point two.

2. Range

This is the question that most people think about when buying an electric car - how far you can drive before the car needs to be charged. A concrete tip is therefore, check the actual range before you buy your car. If you get the opportunity to test drive the car, you can see the energy consumption in different situations and in this way find out your own range. It is worth considering that several factors can affect the actual range. Among other things, the range can be affected by temperature, whether the road is dry or not, motorway driving and driving style.

3. Charging speed

How long it takes to charge an electric car is a common question, and one that many people forget to take into account. The charging speed depends on several factors, including:

– Battery capacity: Larger batteries can take longer to fully charge. For example, an electric car with a 75 kWh battery will take longer to charge than one with a 40 kWh battery. This is generally true, but it can vary depending on the car's charging curve and other factors.

– The power of the charger: The power of the charger is stated in kilowatts (kW). The higher the power, the faster the charging. The most common powers for home charging are 3.7 kW, 7.2 kW, 11 kW and 22 kW. Fast chargers can have powers of up to 350 kW. Development is progressing here and at the time of writing, chargers with a power of 400 kW are being developed. Although there is still no car on the market that can use the full power.

– Weather: Cold and freezing temperatures can negatively affect charging speed.

– Driving style: An aggressive driving style can drain the battery faster, meaning you need to charge more often.

– Manufacturer and model: Different electric cars have different charging speeds. Some models can charge faster than others, even if they have the same battery capacity.

4. Stretch

Another aspect to consider when speculating on a used electric car is the distance you drive. Do you commute relatively short distances on a daily basis but need to travel longer distances from time to time? Then a plug-in hybrid, which can run on both electricity and fossil fuels, may be something for you. Then you can run your daily life on electricity, but fill up the car as usual with petrol or diesel when you drive longer distances.

5. Charging at home

One of the most important aspects to consider when considering buying a used electric car is whether you have the option to charge your car at home. Charging at home is convenient and cost-effective, and it can be crucial for you to be able to use your electric car smoothly in your everyday life.

Here are some things to consider:

– Do you have a parking space with an electrical outlet? If you don't have your own garage space, it can be difficult to find a parking space with an electrical outlet.

– Can you install a charging box? A charging box provides safer and faster charging than a regular electrical outlet. You can contact your housing association or landlord to find out if you can install a charging box.

– Do you live in an apartment with a heater outlet? Always ask the property owner if you can charge your electric car there. Heaters use about half the electricity as an electric car charger at lowest power, but it can still affect the property's electrical system. Asking first is both safe and polite!

– How often do you drive? If you drive short distances every day, it may be enough to charge your car at home overnight. However, if you drive longer distances, you need to be able to charge your car in another way.