Things to Consider Before Buying an Electric Car

Electric cars have achieved significant traction in recent years. As per the 2023 Economic Survey, it is predicted that India’s domestic EV market will see a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 49 percent by 2030. This clearly suggests that electric vehicles will be the future of the automobile sector. However, when it comes to buying an electric car, it naturally raises so many questions in our minds. Be it the battery pack or charging station, a lot of buyers hesitate to opt for an electric car whether or not it will be a good choice. Of course, it will. After all, buying a green vehicle is also a great initiative for the betterment of our environment.

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Here are some basic but important things to take into consideration before you buy a new electric car:

Battery Capacity and Range

When considering buying a new EV, the first thing that hits the customers mind is the question of battery capacity and driving range. The battery capacity of an electric vehicle has always remained a concern in India. Initially, electric cars were not capable of providing adequate battery capacity and range. Over a period of time, manufacturers have made a lot of progress on this aspect. At present, there are EVs in India that provide a minimum of 26 kWh battery pack while delivering a range of 306 kms on a single full charge . The aforementioned battery details are for the Tata Tigor EV. If we talk about Mercedes-Benz EQS 580, it gives an ARAI-certified range of 857 kms on a single charge with a battery capacity of 107.8 kWh.

Manufacturers usually provide the ARAI claimed range for their respective models which could be far from the range offered by EVs in real-world driving conditions. We recommend you look for the real-world range when buying an electric car.

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Charging Infrastructure

Another big question that might be stuck in your head is the availability of charging stations for these EVs. The charging infrastructure is still in the growing stage in our country. If there won’t be enough charging stations, it will eventually become the most formidable challenge for an EV owner. The good news is that the charging infrastructure is now being expanded with investment from both private companies and the government in setting up such kind of facilities.

According to Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways, four-wheeler EVs rose by 230 percent between 2019 and 2021. To accommodate the growing number of electric cars, the Ministry of Power has prescribed at least one charging station to be available every 3 kms and at every 25 kms on both sides of highways in India. With continuous efforts from the government for expanding the charging stations, we can say, buying a new  electric car won’t be regretful in the future.

Battery Life

The battery equipped in an EV is a proven technology that will last for many years. In fact, EV manufacturers like Nissan warrant that the batteries of their electric cars will last 8 years or 100,000 miles. Although the battery is one of the most important components of an electric car, it is an expensive part too. Replacing a battery pack of an EV can burn a hold in your pocket. So, ensure that you check the battery life before you invest in any electric car.

In a Nutshell

The electric vehicle market in India is poised for significant growth in the coming years. Taking care of the important factors is also necessary before buying a new electric car. Hope the above-shared points have helped you to understand the value of EVs in the coming future.

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