Nearly seven years ago, I made one of the most extravagant purchases of my life. After a couple of years of saving money, I bought a shiny new silver sedan. This beautiful car was fitted with a luxurious custom grill. For the first several months, I constantly looked at my stunning new car through the windows of my back door. My acquisition was definitely worth the wait. I’m glad I waited to save the money needed to make a cash purchase. Now, I can enjoy my car without having to worry about monthly payments. On this blog, you will learn how to shop for the best car for your budget. Enjoy the ride!
When shopping for a used electric car, there are a few things you should consider that wouldn't be necessarily a concern with gasoline cars. Below are some of these things.
Battery Status
The battery is one of the most important and expensive parts of an electric car. Therefore, you should never buy an electric car without knowing its battery status. The battery should be professionally tested so that you can know how much its original range has dropped. Don't forget that battery degradation is not just a factor of time; other factors such as driving conditions, maintenance, and charging also affect battery capacity. Thus, you should not just rely on the age of the car or battery to determine the battery's capacity.
Battery Warranty
You should also understand the battery warranty. In the U.S., the typical battery warranty or electric car is 8 years. However, there is more to the warranty than the duration. For one, you need to know the battery capacity that the manufacturer will guarantee at the eight-year point. For example, the Nissan Leaf has a guaranteed battery capacity of 75% after 8 years while the Chevrolet Bolt has a guaranteed battery capacity of 60% after 8 years. Thus, if you buy a 4-year-old Bolt, you only have four more years until the battery capacity falls to 60%.
Tire Conditions
Electric cars have fast acceleration; most of them can get from 0 to 60 mph in 8 seconds or less. Such fast acceleration can be hard on the tires, leading to accelerated tire wear. The manner and extent of the tire wear can help you figure out the type of driving the car has been used to.
Brake System
Some electric cars use what is known as regenerative braking. Electric cars with regenerative braking have motors that turn the wheels, and the motors run on electricity from the battery. During braking, the electric motors reverse to slow down the car, and in the process, the battery also gets charged.
Regenerative braking causes less wear and tear on the conventional brakes because they are just idle most of the time. Unfortunately, idle brakes are prone to rust, and rusty brakes have reduced efficiency. Thus, when buying a used electric car, you should asses the condition of the brake system especially with regard to rust.
Hopefully, you will get a good pre-owned electric car that will serve you for a long time. Don't forget to buy your car from a reputable dealership to ensure you get a good deal.
For more information about used car sales, contact a company like Airport Auto RV Pawn & Sales.
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