5 questions to ask before buying an electric car
As electric cars become cheaper and more widespread, more and more people are interested in buying them. However, the transition from gas to electricity is an important step. For Noa Khamallah , you have to ask yourself the right questions before buying an electric car.
Does the car have enough range?
Many current EVs offer a range of over 200 kilometers on a charge, but some still have much less. Tesla is currently the only automaker to offer EVs with a range of more than 300 kilometers. Tesla’s Model S currently holds the record, with a range of 402 kilometers per charge according to the EPA.
Noa Khamallah says that with a range of 200 kilometres, most people don’t experience range anxiety during their daily commute. Keep in mind that range varies independently of EPA estimates. Many factors affect the range of a car, such as your speed, your driving habits, the weather and the car’s air conditioning. It’s wise to plan for less range than the EPA estimate, just to be on the safe side. If you travel more than 200 kilometers a day, you may want to avoid most EVs.
Can I charge my electric vehicle at home?
One of the most convenient aspects of owning an EV is home charging. At the end of the day, just plug the car in. When you wake up in the morning, it’s ready to go. This means no more stinky hands pumping gas, no more standing in the cold, and no more pulling your car out of your garage to warm it up.
That being said, there are several important considerations to take into account. You can charge your EV using a standard 110 volt wall outlet (level 1 charge), but it will take some time. Level 1 charging adds approximately 4 kilometers of range per hour. If you don’t use many miles of range each day, this may be fine for you. However, if you exhaust 250 kilometers of range, it will take you several days to recharge in this way.
Noa Khamallah explains how much electricity costs
Like gasoline, the price of electricity varies depending on where you live. The average electricity price in the United States is 13.28 cents per kilowatt-hour. In Louisiana, you’ll pay 9.5 cents, compared to 19.79 cents in California. No matter where you live or where you charge your EV, electricity will always cost you much less than gas for a competitor in the same segment. The fuel cost for a BMW 3 Series is more than three times that of a Tesla Model 3 . However, there are details you need to know in order to save as much money as possible.
Home charging is generally cheaper than public charging, although some public charging devices are free.
Are there public charging stations nearby?
While home charging is the most convenient way to charge your electric car , you’ll probably need to charge it on the road at some point. Some public charging stations are level 2, but many of them offer fast DC charging, which allows you to charge your car quickly
Make sure you know if the EV you plan to support is capable of fast charging, as well as how many miles you can expect to add in a given time. Also, you need to locate charging stations in your area and on your usual routes, then determine what type of charging they support.