Electric vehicles weren’t a common sight until the last decade but a global concern over depleting resources and the greenhouse effect has shifted the tempo. Considering the environmental concerns and fuel prices, more people are switching to electric cars. New electric vehicles have always been expensive but their prices further surged up due to the global chip shortage over the last two years.
Buying a used electric car seems a viable option for many thinking to shift from conventional vehicles to EVs. While buying a used car is a budget-friendly option, here are some advantages and disadvantages associated when you look out for second-hand electric cars.
PROS OF BUYING A USED ELECTRIC CAR
People buy used cars because of their reasonable price compared to new ones. Let’s go through the advantages of why you should consider buying a used electric car:
COST-EFFECTIVE
With the rising demand for electric cars and global chip shortage, new EVs manufactured are expensive. Hence, buying a used electric car is a suitable and budget-friendly option. Thanks to the technological advancements, the automobile industry studies reveal that the EV batteries last longer saving you cost on battery replacement. Furthermore, whether you have a new or used EV, they save fuel costs making electric cars cost-effective.
SMOOTH DRIVING EXPERIENCE
It is comparatively easy to buy a used electric car because of the smooth and soundless driving experience. If you buy a conventional car, it is not as soundless and comfortable as an electric vehicle due to wear and tear in moving mechanical parts. That said, whether you buy a new or used electric car, you can enjoy a comfortable and smooth drive.
ECO-FRIENDLY
When you compare second-hand options from conventional, hybrid, and electric vehicles, you will find that EVs are the most eco-friendly vehicles with next to zero carbon emission. Comparatively, pre-owned conventional vehicles aren’t that environmentally friendly. Hence, you automatically contribute to the UAE government’s initiatives for a sustainable environment when you buy an electric car.
SAVES MAINTENANCE COST
Since electric cars have no mechanical moving components, they are resistant to wear and tear. Therefore, you will have to worry less about any mechanical failure. Additionally, major battery components are under warranty for about eight to ten years depending on the manufacturer and the region.
Buying an electric car will save from regular maintenance costs such as the replacement of different types of car filters such as air and oil filters. For even greater peace of mind, you can look out for electric cars inspected by dubizzle in the listings of used cars for sale in the UAE. Moreover, you can request a vehicle inspection from dubizzle when you are buying a pre-owned electric car in the UAE.
EV MOTORS AND DRIVETRAINS LAST LONGER
Unlike conventional vehicles, EV motors and drive trains have fewer moving parts. That said, electric cars only use one gear instead of a multi-speed transmission. Hence, its motors, battery, and drivetrain are less subjected to wear and tear.
CONS OF BUYING A USED ELECTRIC CAR
Buying a used car has its pros and cons, here are some disadvantages of buying a second-hand EV.
RANGE ANXIETY
Although the EV battery range has expanded more than 15% in the past few years, there still exists a chance that your battery dies while on a journey. When you are buying a used electric car, make sure of the battery capacity and life. Moreover, ensure that EV batteries are still under warranty to avoid hefty amounts of changing batteries.
While the network of EV charging stations has increased, you can still face range anxiety when your car battery runs out of charge in a remote area.
BATTERY LIFE AND PERFORMANCE
One must be aware of the fact that the battery performance diminishes over time. Therefore, ensure that the battery is properly inspected when you are buying a used electric car. However, EV batteries are bigger and their performance drop is slower.
According to studies and analyses conducted by automobile manufacturers, a drop of 2.5% battery is expected if it is used for a year. Besides, you can use tips to increase the life of electric vehicle and don’t need to charge the battery after every short ride.
TECHNOLOGY UPGRADE
Automobile brands manufacturing EVs have constantly adopted advanced and cutting-edge technologies to enhance vehicle performance. That said, the use of large and advanced batteries over the years has resulted in more driving range. For instance, the 2017 Tesla Model X had a driving range of 380 to 475 kilometres while the 2022 Tesla Model X provides an estimated range of around 570 kilometres. Hence, when you look for pre-owned vehicles, make sure the battery life isn’t affected much.
Alongside technological advancements, there are Tesla charging stations in the UAE making the American auto brand’s EVs popular among the people.
THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A PRE-OWNED ELECTRIC CAR
Buying a pre-owned electric car is almost similar to purchasing a used conventional vehicle. However, you require a little expertise in EV battery, motor, and maintenance. Let’s go through some essential tips to follow when you are buying a used electric car.
MAINTENANCE HISTORY
While it is a fact that electric cars require less maintenance, they have parts such as wheels, tyres, brakes, and suspension systems that need timely maintenance. Therefore, always check the maintenance and car history when buying a pre-owned electric car. Moreover, electric vehicle models by Tesla, Volkswagen, and Volvo receive complete OTA updates regularly.
Hence, it is essential to check the complete history of updates and maintenance to ensure you buy an up-to-date EV.
BATTERY HEALTH REPORT
Battery failure is rare in EVs but when you are planning to buy a pre-owned electric car, it is essential to check the battery’s health. You can get it inspected from the official dealership to know if the battery is changed or not or how much battery health is remaining. Furthermore, ensure that you check the battery warranty as they are expensive to replace.
You can check the battery warranty by contacting the official dealership of the respected electric car and find out if the warranty is claimed or not.
DETERMINE THE EV RANGE
Determining EV range is essential. If you are looking for older electric vehicles, they will not have the same battery range as the new ones. Therefore, you must find all the nearby EV charging stations in Dubai or where you reside in the UAE. Furthermore, if you have an EV charging station installed at your home from DEWA or ADDC, you can determine the range you cover in a day and plan to buy a used electric car in the UAE accordingly.
This guide was all about buying a used electric vehicle. You can browse through the following popular pre-owned EV models:
- Used Tesla Model 3 in the UAE
- Pre-owned Volkswagen ID in the UAE
- Second-hand Tesla Model Y in the UAE
- Used Mercedes-Benz EQC in the UAE
Keep reading your favourite cars blog to understand more tips, pros, and cons of buying and owning new or used electric vehicles.
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