Should you buy a used electric car?

Should you buy a used electric car? The history of many inventions is full of paradoxes. It includes electric vehicles, which in recent years have occupied a leading position in the sales rankings both in our country and in the EU and associated countries (Norway is in the lead). Interestingly, the first electric car that can be called a car is considered to be a French design in 1881, designed by Gustave Trouves. The beginning of the 20th century was also marked by the popularity of electric vehicles - it is worth noting that many of the then London taxis were powered by electricity. The next decades will be a shift away from electricity in the context of mass motorization.

History is not so distant

The 1970s, the time of the fuel crisis, was another turning point in the popularization of electric vehicles. From today's point of view, not very successful, as the sales statistics show. In the Old Continent, it was possible to buy electric versions of popular internal combustion engine vehicles such as the Volkswagen Golf I or Renault 12 (known mainly as the licensed Dacia 1300/1310 in Poland). Other companies in the 70s and 80s of the last century also tried to offer electric models, often limited to prototypes or, at best, short series.

Present day

In recent years, more and more new designs of electric vehicles have appeared. Some, like all Tesla or Nissan Leaf models, were designed as electric from the start, while others (like the Peugeot 208, Fiat Panda or Renault Kangoo) are optional. Unsurprisingly, e-cars have started to appear in the aftermarket, becoming an increasingly interesting alternative to classic cars, including hybrids.

Electric vehicle charging stations

What to look for when buying a used electrician

Of course, besides checking the condition of the car body (that is, checking the history of possible accidents) and documentation (it may happen that a used car, not only an electric one, cannot be re-registered because an insurer in Canada or the United States admitted a total loss), the most important element are batteries. In the event of a malfunction, it is necessary to take into account either a drop in the range or the need to purchase a new one (which can mean expenses of several tens of thousands of zł - now there are repair shops, and their number should increase every year). Another item to check is the charging socket - there are three main types in electric vehicles - Type 1, Type 2 and CHAdeMO. The braking system, due to the specifics of the operation of the electric motor, may not wear out so much,

Dear trap

As with combustion vehicles, past flooding may prove to be the biggest threat to a buyer's portfolio. There are still dishonest dealers who bring flooded cars and then offer them to unsuspecting buyers. Residual dirty water and sludge are especially dangerous for the components of an electric vehicle system, so you need to be especially careful about good deals.

Popular Aftermarket Models

A used electric car is an interesting alternative, especially recommended for the city and as a vehicle for shorter trips. While it's hard to count on gems like the VW Golf I, Renault 12 or electric Opel Kadett, the range of models developed in recent years is quite interesting. Of course, wealthy collectors should recommend a 40-50-year-old electric car, but they are unlikely to be bought in Poland.

The most popular used electric vehicles on the main advertising portals are: Nissan Leaf, Renault Zoe, BMW i3, Tesla Model 3, Peugeot iON and Mitsubishi i-MiEV.

So, is it worth buying a used electric car?

Yes, if you do not need a car for long and frequent trips, then definitely. The infrastructure for charging electric vehicles grows and will continue to grow every year. Homeowners with a garden may be tempted to buy a home quick charger. The advantages are also low fuel and maintenance costs. The electric power industry does not have a large number of expensive and potentially defective parts, which cannot be said about modern diesel and gasoline cars.