Used: Is buying a used electric model worth it?

Buying a used car is a complex process, which requires special attention and thorough research to obtain the best possible vehicle at the price you have set. But what about used electrics? In recent years with electric drive becoming increasingly interesting, the purchasing public has turned to the category of purely electric, therefore also to the market of second-hand electrics. The question that arises is whether it is safe and in the interest of buying an electric car from a “second hand”. CORVERSE The biggest and most frequent concern among potential buyers concerns batteries, their lifespan and how well the previous owner has treated them. Below we will look at everything that needs to be taken into account, steps and necessary moves before buying a used electric car. Before proceeding to a market, it is important first to carefully evaluate your needs to see if the philosophy of an electric vehicle fits your lifestyle. Once you decide, choosing a used one needs attention, but it’s much easier than you might think and the important thing, prices in used electrics are relatively low, so you can find at an affordable price a modern and relatively new model or in several lower technology electric models. CORVERSE Even when it was new, many of the first models had small battery capacity, so a limited level of autonomy. If this is an exclusive use in the city and you have a way of charging, then it is not necessarily prohibitive if it fulfils all the other conditions. Then check for possible damage and engagement in conflicts, as you would for any conventional car alone in a first visual contact and then with on-site control by a special company. Batteries The most important step is the life of the batteries. In the respective dealership you can measure for battery capacity and officially see its percentage. For example, a BMW iX3 holder with a battery with a useful capacity of 74 kWh reported to newsit.gr that after 48,000 km his car battery was 98%. However, there are batteries that have lost 10% of their energy capacity after about three years of use. The proper check will solve any questions. In fact, the correct charging, e.g. every four days rather than the charging at 100% (recommended to maintain the charge between 20-80%), as well as not to use daily fast chargers are the important movements that help in the long life of the battery. Some electric models, indicate exactly how many charges have been made on DC speed chargers and how many AC AC AC AC alternating current chargers. Battery warranty usually reaches 8 years, with some companies offering 10 years warranty. Their lives, however, last much longer than the guarantee. Note that models with LFP phosphate technology batteries, used for example by BYD or short range Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, have an advantage because the batteries of this technology have a longer life span with 4,000-5,000 charging cycles. In the case of NMC technology (nickel, manganese, cobalt) they have about 1,500 charging cycles. Note that in several companies, e.g. BMW, Volkswagen, etc., batteries are divided into modules, so if necessary repair or replace the individual module rather than the entire battery. Maintenance Batteries and electric motors are generally reliable and do not often cause damage. As well as the mechanical parts of the car, which are also guaranteed. In electric vehicles, you do not have much to control, however, needs maintenance, such as in thermals. The difference is that control and service take place about every two years. The service, for example, requires control of the cabin filter, brake fluids, brake pads, high voltage battery, while some manufacturers also control the cooling fluids of the battery. Note that in the case of electric motors there are no damage, because there are few and simple moving parts. Also, wear on brake pads is usually slow to come compared to thermal models, because electrics reduce speed mainly by energy recovery. In fact, many electric cars change brake pads after 100,000 km. When it comes to electric models, a detailed check on the car’s electronics needs to be done, since everything is digital and digitally controlled. Very important to check that the required upgrades have been made and the car has a successful connection with the application and the manufacturer, if possible. Also, do not neglect to notice the tires well. In electrically, tyres are usually worn faster than conventional ones due to greater power and direct torque available. In rare cases older models of electric cars may not be compatible with new charging technologies. Make sure that the vehicle you have chosen continues to be supported by the manufacturer at software and spare parts level. It is good to avoid unpleasant surprises to focus your search on models intended for European markets. As in thermally used, so also electrically, make a test drive, to see how to drive, level of autonomy and behaviour of the car. Prices Today, prices in second-hand electrics are very good in relation to the initial purchase price, technology, comfort and performance, because the purchasing public still retains reservations about second-hand electrics, but also because of the state subsidy, which offers a significant discount. Prices depend on the date, battery capacity, condition and of course the kilometers the car has. As long as the public learns and is trained in connection with the electric car, it also acquires confidence in the used car, which means later greater demand and possibly higher prices in the future. Conclusion Buying a second-hand electric car can be a worthwhile option for those who want to enjoy the benefits of electrification and sustainable movement at lower cost. However, it requires careful evaluation and investigation to avoid potential risks. Checking on battery condition, vehicle history and compatibility with modern charging technologies are key factors for a successful market. Note that control of a used electric model is easily and difficult to hide unpleasant surprises in the car after its purchase.