5 Common Mistakes First-Time EV Buyers Make

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If you’ve been thinking about getting an electric vehicle, you must be aware of the common mistakes that some people often make with their purchase.

For many, an electric vehicle is going to be a bit different from traditional vehicles that rely on fossil fuels. There’s the home charger to consider and the real-world range of the vehicle’s traveling capabilities.

With that being said, here are five common mistakes that first-time EV buyers make and how to avoid them.

1. Ignoring the logistics and costs of home chargers

Home chargers are certainly not cheap, and you must also be aware of the installation required. The installation involves wiring, potential trenching, and electrical upgrades. This all adds to the price that you have to pay on top of the car purchase.

Get electrical surveys and choose a 7kW charger for home balance. This also needs to be installed in a convenient spot so that you can get access to it in order to plug your car in for charging. 

2. Misjudging the real-world range

A lot of manufacturers will make claims of ranges that might not be realistic in the real world. Cold weather, high speeds on the motorway, and heater use all drastically cut the range you would otherwise expect on the road. 

Ideally, you should expect to see 15-20% less range. In order to manage this, it’s good to use apps like ZapMap that use real-time data and planning for winter/long trips.

3. Forgetting the route and charger planning

Whenever you’re looking to travel a longer distance than normal, it’s important that you’re route planning and thinking about chargers along the route.

Assuming public chargers are always free, working or nearby can end up being a costly mistake if you run out of charge on the road. Broken chargers, using them in peak times, and maintenance required can all contribute to delays in the usage of these charging stations. 

With that in mind, use planning apps to find and check charger availability, especially before any long trips. 

4. Mismanaging battery health

It’s important to be aware of the battery health and that you can easily mismanage it if you’re not careful. Constantly charging to 100% or letting it drop below 20% is something that you should avoid. This can stress the battery out and can cause problems earlier on. Instead, use smart charging for off-peak rates and avoid extremes. 

It’s helpful to use regenerative braking (one-pedal driving) to make driving more efficient when on the road.

5. Skipping the test drive and learning curve

With nearly new electric car deals, you must test drive the car, just like you would with any vehicle you’re interested in.

Buying based simply on specs or looks and not feel can be problematic, especially if you end up not liking the drive.

Instant torque and regenerative braking are a novelty and need to be practiced with before committing to the purchase.

These are all common mistakes that can be avoided, so your experience in EVs is a positive one.