How To Buy Electric Cars
To buy from electric cars is a very environmentally conscious thing to do, however, electric cars also seem so different to the vehicles we are used to, here are a few tips on how to buy an electric car which is right for you.
Buying an electric car makes a big statement about your commitment to the environment, however, is this the only reason you are buying one? It is important to have a clear vision of why you want and need an electric car, to ensure the vehicle you choose meets those needs. Also, depending on whether you are seeking fuel economy, less environmental impact or just a quieter ride, there are a number of car kits which can convert your existing car to run on electricity.
What is an Electric Car?
- To understand what you are buying, electric cars are sometimes also called fuel-cell cars. This is because conventional hybrid electric cars extract their electricity from hydrogen, and their on-board fuel-cell charges a battery which powers the vehicle’s electric motor.
- All-electric cars are also often referred to as plug-ins as they run on high performance batteries which store cleaner, cheaper and domestically produced electricity. Plug-in hybrid electric cars car be charged at a public charging station, but are more often recharged overnight in your own garage, ready for your zero emissions drive to work.
How to Buy an Electric Car
Step 1: Compare the Features of Electric Cars
When buying an electric car, consider all of the features you would in the purchase of an ordinary vehicle such as comfort, safety and reliability. It is also important to compare an electric car’s speed, power, battery life and of course, price.
The Tesla Motors Roadster electric car can travel in excess of 200 miles and has a top speed of 130 mph. This top speed is quite an advancement when you consider many early electric cars could only reach top speeds of around 25 mph. The Tesla electric car runs on a Lithium-ion battery and weighs just 2,500 pounds.
The plug-in Toyota Prius can travel 50-60 miles before needing a recharge, and has a top speed of 34 mph which is perfect for city driving, when the most fuel is used stuck in peak hour traffic. The Prius also has a range of safety and intuitive features, as you would expect from any new car, including park assist and radar cruise control to maintain a safe distance between you and the car in front.
Step 2: Test Drive Electric Cars
Buying electric cars are still a relatively new phenomenon and unless you are looking at an electric car conversion kit, you can expect to be getting all of the features, styling and comfort of a new car. So when you test drive your potential purchase, make sure it meets all of your current needs. When looking at the price of electric cars it is also important to remember that you will not be paying for fuel, oil changes or high servicing costs because electric engines have far fewer moving parts.
