5 Things to Consider while Buying Your First Electric Car

You’re not alone if you’re nervous about having your first electric car. You know there will be changes involved, but you don’t know just how impactful they’ll be. This uncertainty can create doubt about whether or not you should make the purchase.

It’s okay to feel this way — in fact, you shouldn’t make any big decisions without considering everything that might give you pause. That’s the only way to ensure a good decision.

To that end, we’ve put together this list of five essential issues you must address before purchasing an electric vehicle. We can’t choose for you, but we can help you make an informed decision based on your specific needs.

Get a Warranty

People looking at electric car

This goes for any vehicle purchase, especially when it’s a type you haven’t experienced before. Look at every option for a warranty on a Tesla or any other option you’re considering. There are short-range and long-range plans. You’ll need to imagine each of these choices with the following questions in mind:

  • How often will I drive?
  • How long will my driving sessions likely be?
  • How much risk of accident is involved in my driving conditions?

New Fueling System

A unique aspect of an electric car is its means of fueling. Filling up a gas tank will become a thing of the past. You’ll now have a battery to keep charged, similar to how you charge your cell phone.

While money-saving and environmental benefits exist, it can also become a very distressing situation. Think about what happens when a phone runs out of charge. It shuts down no matter where you are or how much you need it to keep going.

This means you won’t be able to get by without a home charging system unless you happen to live near a public charging station.

Get the Driving Process down

Woman driving electric car

You might be thinking, “What are you talking about? I already know how to drive!”

If you make this decision, you are committed to an entirely different driving style. There’s far more interaction with the technology involved. Features you are used to will be missing, and there will be no ones you need to get used to.

Logistics Will Become Important

Wherever you’re going, you need to head out as soon as the charging process is done. Any time spent stalling will be battery life that is wasted.

You need to understand that your car’s refueling mechanisms will now be different from the norm. This means you can’t trust that every station will be able to accommodate your needs. To avoid the disaster that could come from this, research beforehand about where you can find charging stations. 

Take Your Lifestyle into Consideration

Electric car charging station

An electric car can be a fantastic addition to your life, but it’s not for everyone. Some lifestyles accommodate it perfectly, while for others, it can be a hindrance.

All of these factors — access to a home charger, the coverage of new batteries when needed, and the ability to keep them consistently charged — are things you shouldn’t gloss over. Additionally, there is maintenance of your car. From time to time, you should do a full check up (KC complete is a great example). Buying a car is only 50% of work. Maintaining is the other half.

Before you go through with a purchase, take a test drive with one. Get a feel for the driving style and whether or not it’s compatible with you. Imagine yourself switching to it permanently. Is this a happy thought or an off-putting one?

In Conclusion

Committing to an electric car is a bigger deal than getting a new model. It affects far more than just driving; you’ll have to adjust your whole lifestyle. We say this not to dissuade you from purchasing one but to ensure your happiness with your decision.

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