Many companies and their respective models are present in the electric car market. So which car to buy as per your needs? Here are some points which will help you in purchasing an electric car. Get the best possible value for your money.
Money Matter
Money plays a vital role when it comes to purchase an electric vehicle because without money we cannot buy any product or service. First, evaluate your finances – income, expenses, savings, investment and debt. The buyer decides how much he can spend or how much he wants to spend on an electric car. Electric cars cost more than gasoline cars. The electric vehicle buyer set the price range not only the car price but also insurance, charging, maintenance and government tax on electric vehicles. If he needs a loan, he can also approach a bank, so that he can fulfill his dream of buying an electric car.
Family Needs and Lifestyle
When a consumer buys any product or service, he wants to satisfy his specific needs and desires. The buyer chooses a vehicle according to his family’s requirements. There are some popular electric cars in the market which meet the buyer’s criteria. They are crossover, sedan, hatchback, SUV and MUV. You can also ask yourself- Which electric car is worth buying?
How many miles do you drive each day? People who live in the city may prefer a small electric car due to driving or parking issues, while people living in the suburbs may prefer a large vehicle such as an SUV or crossover.
Three popular types of electric vehicles in the market are –
Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV’s): Powered by only large battery.
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV’s): Powered by large battery and has a gas tank.
Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV’s): This vehicle has battery with gas engine. The vehicle is powered by only gasoline and battery energy is generated from gasoline. The vehicle has no charging port.
Evaluation of Alternative
Explore the electric vehicle companies and their models in the market. Select few companies and their models which match your criteria. These criteria are car price, car body type, safety, driving range, charging time, and any other specific features which suit your preferences. Whenever someone buys a service or commodity, certain things are taken into consideration. There are certain important things which affect the buyer’s behavior. These are –
PRICE: Car price is the prime factor which has an impact on consumer buying behavior. The price directly affects the consumer’s budget. Calculate the total cost of an electric car, which includes purchase price, insurance, charging cost, government tax and deduction, company discount, dealer discount and government rebate or incentive for buying an electric car.
SAFETY: Electric car safety issue influences consumer’s decision to buy a car. The car’s safety features involve owner’s safety and his family’s safety. Check the safety rating of the vehicle which is given by renowned agencies such as National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSM), the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), The European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) and Australasian National Crash Assessment Program (ANCAP)
DRIVING RANGE: How much distance does an electric car cover on a single charge? The buyer would prefer a long-range vehicle if the buyer is a daily traveller, travels long distances or lives in a rural area. The buyer will prefer a car that completes his journey without frequent charges and also checks – can we charge electric car at home?
BRAND: Different electric car companies and their respective models are available in the market. Some famous and popular eclectic car companies and their models which influences the consumer’s purchasing behavior through their trustworthy reputation like Tesla’s electric cars – Model S, Model X, Model Y & Model 3, Volkswagen’s ID4 and many others. Some buyers are loyal to a particular brand and Model. For this, they are willing to pay the premium amount. Such buyers do not quickly switch to another brand unless they have a major problem with that product. Actually, these people are emotionally attached to the company and their product.
A buyer should compare all selected companies and their models before purchasing an electric car. Also, he should check the expert’s view, ratings from authorized sources and talk to personal sources. These sources can provide him with valuable information which can help him take the right decision for buying the right car.
Technology
Check the technology used in the battery. The latest technology is lithium-ion battery and electric motors enhancing the performance of electric car. Check – which type of features are available in the driver assistance system?
After Sales Service and Charging Station Like other cars, electric vehicles also require maintenance and servicing. Whether the service station of the car we are buying is in our area and city or not? How the company’s service station is networked and is it spread across the state and country? So if we have to travel a long distance or travel to another city, and we need a service station, then we can easily find one. Technology should be such that the electric car can be charged at home too. We should also check the company’s manual on how to install electric car chargers at home.
Warranty
Warranties can vary from company to company and even different models of the same company. Check the warranty type, warranty terms and conditions and extended warranty options.
Test Drive and Finalize
Visit the electric vehicle showroom and take a test drive of a particular electric vehicle in which you are interested. If you feel easy, comfortable and the car’s performance is good during the test drive and it ensures that this car meets your expectations then after the test drive satisfaction, begin the purchase process of your dream electric car. Now the buyer’s task has been completed on how to buy electric car.
CONCLUSION
If you consider these points you will get your dream electric car. Some common points have been given about how to buy electric vehicle but it can vary from person to person and region to region.