The increasing number of electric vehicles on Australian roads shows that the average consumer is already adopting electric cars. However, one of the biggest hurdles potential buyers face is the high price of new electric cars.

Many manufacturers are introducing new models at a brisk pace but when compared to the cost of an ICE vehicle, the electric cars are still pretty expensive even though you will always come out on top in the long run in terms of money saved on fuel costs as well as the cost of regular servicing and maintenance.

If you have made up your mind to own an electric vehicle and are concerned about the high initial cost, you should seriously consider buying a used one. The used electric car market is also heating up and just like ICE cars, not every used car EV out there is not worth your money.

Here are a few things you should know about used electric cars.

Used Electric Car Facts You Should Know

1. You have plenty of options
2. It is fun to drive a well-made electric car
3. You will start saving money on fuel right from the get-go
4. You won’t have to spend almost any money on maintenance as compared to a used ICE car
5. You will save a lot of money in the long run when you compare the total cost of ownership
6. It’s not that difficult to check the battery health of a used electric car

What to Look for When Buying Used Electric Cars

Buying a used car whether it’s a gas-guzzling model or an electric vehicle is always challenging. Thankfully, there are a lot of choices and buying a used electric car isn’t as difficult as it used to be.

However, just like you would do a number of checks before buying a used internal combust5ion engine vehicle, here’s what you need to look at when buying a used electric car:

1. Battery health — The most important or rather the most expensive part of an electric vehicle is its battery pack. The manner in which a battery is charged determines the battery’s health. For instance, regularly using superchargers or fast chargers may degrade battery health over time. Charging behaviour and regular charging can help in preventing battery degradation. Every electric vehicle comes equipped with systems to get a battery health report. Make sure you check the battery health report before making a decision.
2. Battery size — As you already know, this determines the distance you can travel on a single charge. Battery capacity is mentioned in kilowatt-hours and a bigger battery means a bigger range but also more money.
3. Type of plug — Electric vehicles have different types of plugs though efforts are being undertaken by the authorities across the globe to standardise the plug design. It is important for you to make sure that the public charging network available in your area is compatible with the type of plug you have.
4. Accessories available with the vehicle – Almost all new electric cars come equipped with a charger to allow you to charge the vehicle at home. When you are buying a used car, you also need to find out whether you will get that charging cable. If not, those chargers may cost you several hundred dollars.
5. Service history — Just like you would check the service history of an ICE vehicle, it is important for you to check the service history of an electric vehicle too.
6. Warranty — Most car manufacturers offer a warranty for either 8 years or a distance in excess of 1.5 lakh kilometres. Companies that import electric cars to Australia also offer a warranty for several years on the battery. Make sure you check the warranty terms carefully before agreeing to buy one.

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Should You Buy Used Electric Cars

There are several advantages and limitations to buying a used electric car. The used electric car market is on a high but so is the case with the used petrol/diesel vehicles.

One of the biggest advantages of buying a used EV is that you get to save a lot of money, especially when compared to the cost of buying a completely new electric vehicle. Also, you will be spending far less money on servicing and maintenance. You will also benefit from the smoother driving experience of an electric car and on top of that, these cars are better for the environment.

Having said that, not all the used EVs available in the market is a good deal. You never know how fast the battery is going to degrade. Also, the charging infrastructure is still rolling out but it is expected to get better in the coming years. You might develop buyer’s remorse as newer electric vehicles typically offer better battery performance and use the latest technology.

On the whole, used electric cars offer a much better experience and if you do not want to spend a whole lot of money on a completely new EV, there is nothing wrong with buying a used electric car.

Final Thoughts

Overall, electric cars are here and even though they still account for a minuscule part of the overall Australian car market, they are growing steadily. Also, the government has announced plans to invest in public charging infrastructure and a number of fast chargers and level II chargers are expected to come up in all parts of the country in the near future.

Buying a used electric car allows you to experience the comfort and smooth driving experience and you can also take pride in driving an environmentally friendly vehicle. However, not all used electric vehicles are up to the mark. You need to do your research to find something that is good and is available within your budget.

Buy Electric Vehicle Chargers at GET Electric

GET Electric is a premier supplier of a wide range of reliable and affordable electric vehicle chargers in Australia. Whether you’re looking for a charging solution for home use or for your commercial establishment, we have the right solution for you.

Please call us today on 1800 GET NOW to learn more about our EV charging and infrastructure solutions or leave an enquiry and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours.

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