Second Hand EV’s – Are you thinking of buying one?
Maybe your thinking that you can’t afford buying a brand new EV, so why not think about Second Hand EV’s?
Electric Vehicles are becoming more popular by the day. Many drivers were sceptical at the beginning about the new complex EV’s. However, now many people have made the change, or are thinking about changing to these types of vehicles.
With more and more EV’s being manufactured and with the Governments ban date for petrol and diesel vehicles coming closer, many people are more keen on buying an EV.
Furthermore, with the growing awareness of the low emission vehicles and more EV’s being manufactured, buying Second Hand EV’s are easier to purchase.
Here are some top tips on buying Second Hand EV’s.
To find the correct EV for your needs, you first need to ask yourself some of the questions below, to ensure you choose the best one that suits you.
What type of Electric Vehicle are you looking for?
The first question you need to answer is; What type of EV are you looking for? As there are so many to choose from.
BEV’s
BEV’s (battery electric vehicles), use a large battery pack to power an electric motor. This type of EV only run on electric. The only downside to BEV’S, is that they don’t have a high range before they need charging.
Another disadvantage of buying a second hand BEV, is that the first ones made have a small mile range. For example; the early Nissan Leaf has a little more than 90 miles of range before it needs charging. In saying that, the newer models have a range of 300 to 400 miles in one single charge.
On the plus side, the price of the older models are a lot cheaper to buy. Also, you need to take into consideration what you are going to be using your EV for. If it’s only used for small distances, this type of EV may be ideal for you.
PHEV’s
PHEV’s (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles), are similar to Full Hybrid Vehicles, as they both function by battery and petrol or diesel. The PHEV’s are able to travel a longer distance by battery, than the Full Hybrid Vehicles. However, this type of vehicle requires to be plugged into the mains to recharge the battery.
The PHEV’s have a lot of benefits, as they are easy to drive and very fuel efficient whilst sitting in traffic. Meaning, that these vehicles are cheap to run if they regular drive 10 to 15 miles. Moreover, these vehicles are tax efficient.
REX’s
REX’s (Range Extenders), function in a similar way to PHEV’s, but they use a different mechanical philosophy. These vehicles drive like BEV’s, as they use the electric motor to drive the wheels all the time, but also like PHEV’s they have an ICE. The REX’s are not like the plug-in models and this is only used as a generator. This is to keep the battery at a minimum charge, until you can plug-in and charge the cells to the maximum.
Should I buy a Second Hand EV now or wait?
With fuel prices still high and the cost of living is increasing, it’s understandable that people would want to save money wherever they can.
Many people are concerned about the prices of buying new EV’s will increase. Which is even more reason to think about buying a Second Hand EV.
So, is buying a Second Hand EV really the best option right now?
There are a few things you need to consider before making a decision.
Firstly, with more EV’s being manufactured, this has made Second Hand EV’s more appealing in price.
Secondly, with fuel prices already risen and a possibility of them continuing to rise, buying a Hybrid or EV right now could be one of the wisest investments you make.
Thirdly, it is essential that you have thought about how much time you will use the car on a daily basis and where you will park your car when you are not using it. This is important to think about, because if you have no access to electric mains, you won’t be able to recharge the vehicles battery.
Lastly, you will be doing your part to help the environment and saving money on fuel costs in the long run.
What to look out for when buying a Second Hand EV
EV’s are full with technology, but are not complicated devices at all. With all the technology built in to them, a large battery powering the motor, the likelihood of things going wrong is a lot less.
However, when buying Second Hand EV’s, checks should still be made on these vehicles, like looking at the full service history. By doing this, this ensures that the previous owner has looked after the vehicle. It also a good idea, to ensure that the latest software updates and any outstanding work has been done.
Furthermore, it is fundamental that you check the tyres and brakes for wear and tear, and listen for any strange noises from the suspension. It is known that, the earlier models of the Renault Zoes are more prone to having this weakness.
Another thing to look out for, is to double check the vehicles battery size. This is because the higher the kWh rating, the longer the range. As you may be aware that most of the earlier manufactured EV’s, have a small cell size. If you plan to use the EV for long journeys, this needs to be taken into consideration. It is very important, that you check that all the charging cables are there and that they are the correct ones, because these cables are expensive to replace.
Many popular vehicle makes offered a battery leasing scheme, that allowed owners to purchase the car outright, but rent the batteries. This is an important check to make, when purchasing one of the earlier manufactured EV’s, as you could end up with an unexpected monthly battery bill.
Is it necessary to have a Home Charging Point?
This is a question that many people have pop up in their mind.
To begin with, it all depends on where you live and if you have access to install a home charger. It would be more convenient for you to install a home charger. However, there may be many obstacles that stop you from being able to install it. For example; if you are in a rented accommodation, or you live in a flat.
In order to get the most out of owning an Electric Vehicle, it is better to have a home charger installed. In saying that, there are many places where you can charge your EV now. Especially with the Government installing more and more EV charging stations in the UK. So, you don’t have the worry of not being able to charge your EV.
Furthermore, if this is your first EV that you are going to purchase, then you may be entitled for the Government’s OZEV (Office of Zero Emissions Vehicles) grant. This covers 75% (up to £350) of the purchase price and installation of a home charger.
To sum up, if you have a home charger installed at your home you could save money. Obviously, this depends on the prices of your electricity and the times you charge your vehicle. It is a lot cheaper to charge your EV overnight, as the electricity rates are much lower and you could pay roughly 17 pence per kilowatt. It also depends on how much you use your EV and how many times you charge your vehicle on a weekly basis.
For more articles on this topic: UK incentive for Electric Vehicles
Warranties on Electric Vehicles
When buying a brand new EV, they are covered by a manufacturer’s warranty like any other type of vehicle.
Some vehicle brands offer guarantees for 5 or even 7 years, which means that you should check to see if there is any warranty left on the Second Hand EV. If this is the case, you will benefit from having some years left of warranty for your EV.
On many Electric Vehicles, there is a separate warranty for the vehicles battery. Most manufacturers, have a battery warranty of up to eight years and 100,000 miles. This is another thing that you should look into, as you may have this warranty too. However, there are some company’s like RAC that offer an EV extended cover packages, so if there isn’t a warranty on the battery, you have this option available.
The Benefits of purchasing an EV
There are many benefits of owning an EV, not only environmental, but also economical.
Now, there are many places across the UK that have free charging points, which is a big benefit, instead of paying the high petrol and diesel prices.
Also, many drivers have the advantage of charging their vehicles at their work place free of charge.
Another benefit of owning an EV, is that Electric Vehicles tend to hold their value better than fuel-powered vehicles.
Moreover, EV’s are become more common and their values are likely to increase.
So, if you’re thinking about buying a Second Hand EV, there’s no better time than now!
