9 things to check before buying or leasing your first electric car

Buying or leasing your first electric car can feel daunting, especially if you’re new to aspects such as charging the battery. But knowing what to look for can make the process much easier. Here are nine things to check before making your decision.

With diesel now reaching £2 per litre in the UK and petrol prices continuing to rise, switching to an electric car could make sense if you’re looking to cut your motoring costs. But choosing the right EV means looking beyond its claimed range and price tag.

From charging and battery health to insurance and everyday practicality, here are nine things to check before you consider buying or leasing one.

Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.

1. How far do you actually drive?

Start with your typical daily mileage, rather than the longest journey you might make once or twice a year.

If most of your driving is commuting nearby, school runs or trips around town, you may not need an electric car with a huge battery and a premium price tag. A smaller battery could give you more than enough range for your everyday needs.

However, if you regularly make long motorway journeys, look for a model with a greater range and good rapid-charging capability.

2. Don’t rely entirely on the advertised range

You’ll usually see an EV’s official WLTP range in the specifications. It’s useful for comparing models, but it shouldn’t be treated as a guarantee of how far you’ll travel between charges in much the same way as you’ll never achieve a petrol car’s quoted miles per gallon.

Temperature, high motorway speeds, heating, air conditioning and road conditions can all reduce efficiency. You may see a noticeable drop in range during winter or on long motorway trips.

During Carwow’s range tests, we typically find electric cars achieve in the region of 80% of their quoted figures. You can use this as a guide when comparing models.

Our web reviews tend to include the efficiency we recorded during our time with electric cars, giving you a better idea of their specific real-world range.

3. Can you charge at home?

For many EV owners, home charging is one of the biggest advantages of going electric.

Check whether you have somewhere suitable to install a home wallbox and whether your property can support one. A 7kW home charger can replenish a typical EV overnight, so you can start most mornings with a full or nearly full battery.

Before buying or leasing, get an idea of installation costs and check whether you qualify for any available grants or incentives.

It’s also worth checking what comes with the car, particularly when buying used.Make sure you know whether a Type 2 charging cable is included and check any supplied cables for damage. If a cable is not included, factor this into the purchase price.

4. Know where you’ll charge away from home

Even if you have a home charger, you’ll need to think about charging when you’re away.

Check the availability of public chargers near:

• Your workplace
• Regular shopping destinations
• Family and friends
• Motorway routes you use frequently
• Places you visit for weekends and holidays

It’s also a good idea to check how quickly the car can charge. For longer journeys, it’s the DC charging time you’ll want to look for – most cars can go from 10-80% in under half an hour.

If you’re not sure, ask the manufacturer or dealer how quickly you can put useful miles back into it.

5. Buying used? Check the battery health

The battery is one of the most important components of an electric car, so it’s worth checking its condition carefully when buying used.

Battery capacity naturally decreases over time. Ask the seller for a battery health or State of Health (SoH) report, where available, to see how much of the original capacity remains. Research your model online to find out what is considered normal degradation.

Car manufacturers must offer eight years and 100,000 miles of cover for the main battery, often with a minimum guaranteed capacity of around 70%.

6. Work out what it will really cost to run

Don’t judge an EV solely on its upfront price. Look at the cost of owning and running it over several years.

Consider:

• Home electricity costs
• Public charging prices
• Insurance
• Servicing and maintenance
• Tyres
• Vehicle Excise Duty (VED)
• Parking or charging fees

Charging at home can be considerably cheaper than relying on rapid public chargers, particularly if you can take advantage of an off-peak electricity tariff.

Electric cars also have fewer moving mechanical parts than petrol or diesel cars, which can mean less routine maintenance.

However, don’t assume every EV will automatically be cheaper to own. Get insurance quotes and work out the likely charging and running costs for the specific model you’re considering.

In fact, we recently compared the running costs of electric cars with those of petrol, diesel, and hybrid cars. This should give you a good indication of what to expect.

7. Make sure the technology works for you

Many newer electric cars are packed with technology, but more features doesn’t necessarily mean a better car.

Think about the features you’ll actually use, including:

• Apple CarPlay or Android Auto
• Smartphone connectivity
• Satellite navigation and live traffic
• Driver-assistance systems
• Adjustable regenerative braking
• Remote charging and climate controls
• Over-the-air software updates

Regenerative braking is particularly worth trying if you’ve never driven an EV. It can recover energy as the car slows down and, depending on the model, you may be able to adjust how strongly it operates so you hardly need to use the brakes.

Spend some time using the infotainment system before you buy. A feature-packed cabin is only worth it if you find it easy to use.

8. Check the car’s practicality

Don’t hone in on range and charging so much that you forget the basics.

Make sure there’s enough room for the people and things you regularly carry. Check the boot in person if possible, particularly if you have children, pets or regularly travel with lots of luggage.

You should also consider whether you need features such as roof rails, a tow bar, additional storage or a larger boot.

For some buyers, a practical car with slightly less range will be a better choice than a larger, more expensive EV with a bigger battery.

9. Take a proper test drive

Finally, don’t buy or lease an EV based on its specification sheet alone. Taking one for a test drive can tell you things that a piece of paper can’t.

Pay attention to things such as:

• Comfort
• Visibility
• Driving position
• Acceleration
• Braking feel
• Regenerative braking
• Cabin and boot space
• Ease of using the infotainment system

If possible, drive the car on roads similar to those you normally use. If motorway trips are part of your daily routine, try to include some driving on these roads in your test drive.

If you’re buying a used electric car, ask about the EV’s charging history, battery condition, warranty, and previous use.

Car change? Carwow!

Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.

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