Usually, buying used electric cars can be prohibitive, especially if you have never owned an electric car before. Compared with gasoline or diesel-powered vehicles, electric vehicles require some different thinking. When you see a used electric car, there are some additional things to consider. In fact, used electric vehicles can be an excellent value. However, doing some research in advance can help you make informed decisions. Here are some basic considerations when buying used electric vehicles.

Use battery life as a bargaining chip

Like mobile phones, laptops and even TV remote controls, the battery of electric vehicles will deteriorate over time no matter how many times it is used. Significant temperature fluctuations will accelerate this process, as will repeated charging.

The service department of the car dealer can give you a detailed battery health report. Alternatively, you can charge a used electric car to 100% and see what the estimated range is. Compare this with the original rating and you'll know what's left.

Electric vehicles can also clearly display the battery health status on the instrument panel or central display screen.

Don't expect a used electric car to have 100% battery life, but don't be depressed if it can only provide three-quarters of the original mileage. Anyway, most drivers don't drive more than 40 to 50 miles a day. If you buy a used electric car for your commute, a shorter driving distance is OK. If the battery is not new, this is a bargaining point.

Check whether the battery has been replaced

Battery failure may be rare, but it does happen. Electric vehicles with higher mileage are more likely to completely replace the battery. If this happens, the seller can provide you with documents to prove the work, which is a major success. This means that someone before you paid the effort and price to complete the work.

That is, check any documents carefully to make sure you get the receipt for the car you want to buy. In addition, check the estimated mileage when the battery is fully charged and the battery health report that the car computer can tell you.

Even if the dealer or seller does not know whether the battery has been replaced, the vehicle history report may record the service. Ask for always good practice.

Investigate how much battery warranty remains

All major car manufacturers offer more extended warranty coverage for battery packs than other parts of the car. Many used electric cars are still under warranty. But read the details carefully.

Most batteries can be used for 8 years or 100000 miles after the first purchase, whichever is purchased first. However, not all warranties can be transferred to future owners. These warranty periods will also vary from model to model.

The best way is to contact the vehicle manufacturer's customer service department with the vehicle identification number (VIN). You can find this 17 digit number in several places on the car, which can be provided to you by any dealer or previous owner. The customer service department will tell you when the warranty period expires and whether it can be transferred.

Query maintenance records

Ask previous owners or dealers for repair history, especially any service records they may provide. However, in addition to regular replacement of tires and windshield wipers, electric vehicles require relatively little maintenance. So you may receive very few receipts. Even the brakes on electric cars last longer because they can recharge the car battery, otherwise, they will lose power.

In addition, be sure to use the tools of Kelly blue book to understand which recall items may affect your purchase of second-hand electric vehicles.

Locate the charging capacity of the battery

Gasoline-powered cars are often updated by manufacturers every few years and may undergo a major redesign every six years. Electric cars? and be not so. Carmakers tend to make more gradual changes, especially Tesla.

The most significant change is the increase in battery capacity, which is also a factor affecting used electric vehicle batteries. Tesla does not use model years for updates; You will want to view the car's information through the touch screen. For other vehicle manufacturers, the VIN stores information about the configuration that dealers can provide.

It can provide some obvious things, such as color, choice of interior decoration, and so on. The dealer can tell you whether the car is equipped with a faster charging capacity and determine the original capacity of the battery.

Determine the mileage of used electric vehicles you need to use

In the past decade, the development of electric vehicles has greatly accelerated. Early electric cars were lucky to run 100 miles on a full charge, while today's Tesla can run more than 400 miles. Future electric vehicles may exceed this figure.

Figure out how far you need. Although 400 miles seems appropriate, electric cars for this mileage are expensive. Suppose you plan to use an electric car to commute; Vehicles with a mileage of fewer than 100 miles are also OK. You can also rent a car for long-distance driving. In the long run, this effective strategy saves many drivers money.

You know, not all-electric vehicles are charged the same

The charging speed of electric vehicles is not necessarily the same, and a larger battery pack usually means a longer charging time. For example, the early Nissan LEAF electric vehicle provided a 6.6 kW onboard charger as an additional cost option. Without a charger, level 2 charging takes twice as long. Newer electric cars and their batteries will be fully charged faster.

If you plan to fill up your electric car at work, or if you often go to a public charging station for a short time, consider buying a fast-charging electric car. If you plan to spend the night at home or charge while working, this may not be an important factor, which may mean that you can save money with cheaper second-hand electric vehicles.

Study the incentives of government and public utilities

Although most electric vehicle tax rebates apply to new cars, some apply to used cars. You will want to study these on government or other websites. You can also check with your tax preparer or your local automotive office for any specific transactions that may apply to you. In addition, some utility suppliers offer discounted charging equipment and lower charges for charging during non-working hours.

Check all charging accessories

Once you choose the electric car you want to take home, make sure the seller includes the charging line. Charging equipment can be quite expensive. The cost is usually between $300 and $600. It is possible that the former owner of the car misplaced it, or left it at home when he changed to a new car at the dealer. If you buy an electric car at a private party, it's best to ask the seller if they are willing to sell their level 2 charger. The cost of a class 2 charger is estimated at $500-600, and it's easy to install as long as you have a 240-volt power outlet.