with help from Paul Wildman’s comments and David Waterworth
It’s been a while since I purchased a used vehicle. But I’ve had quite a few throughout the years. In the 1970s, I had a Vauxhall Viva and a Hillman Hunter since they were inexpensive vintage British automobiles. They vanished quickly. The General Motors Holden Kingswood did not either. Following were Ford Falcons in the 1980s and 1990s. Then, a Daewoo and then a Hyundai arrived that were too good of a deal to pass up. I currently travel in a Tesla Model 3 SR .
What about those who desire EVs but are unable to purchase a new vehicle? Is purchasing a used electric car distinct from purchasing an ICE-era muscle car? It is, indeed.
First off, used EVs are not particularly affordable, and it’s possible that the dealer knows very little about the vehicle. I quickly searched Google and found a couple BMW i3s s, Nissan LEAFs s, and one lone Mitsubishi MiEV . Why are there so few EVs older than 10 years? Because there weren’t many models available and few people were purchasing them ten years ago.
One LEAF’s advertised range was 175 kilometers. I think this is overly optimistic.
Any second-hand car buyer must conduct extensive study and use caution to avoid buying someone else’s troubles. When used electric automobiles are taken into account, this is much more true. Here and there are some positive testimonials from satisfied customers, but not everyone will receive what they anticipate.
The extent to which EV technology has evolved over the past ten years should be made clear to the client. Would you buy a cell phone that was ten years old? the laptop? Battery technology is one of the main areas undergoing change. Does the car still cover its initial range? Virtually probably not. To find out the actual range of such a car, I would advise the buyer to take it for a long test drive with the air conditioner and radio on.
You might also want to account for the price of a battery upgrade.
Of course, the suitability of any vehicle depends on the buyer’s lifestyle. A 10-year-old, low-range EV would be acceptable. As a general rule, a fantastic electric car may only lose 1% of its battery capacity every year. Without thermal battery management, a Nissan LEAF can lose 15% annually. However, such batteries last longer in cooler climates than in warmer climates. Therefore, if you reside in a cooler environment, a used LEAF might be the right choice for you.
Additionally, be certain that you understand whether battery capacity is covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. The battery’s lower capacity is often covered by warranties if it falls to less than 70% of its original capacity. here are some tips to prolong the life of your EV batteries and, consequently, the EV itself after you’ve made your purchase!
Consumers are safeguarded in all automotive transactions, including those for used electric vehicles. However, some contend that further protection is necessary, particularly in regards to the veracity of the declared range. Who is responsible for representing the range to potential customers in an ethical, trustworthy, and reasonable manner? The query is this.
Range is vital for correct depiction because dealers are legally required to sell products as represented. In situations where a glaring discrepancy between a vehicle’s real range and stated range arises, this is a consumer affairs problem that can be raised with them. Overall, the secondhand EVs that dealers are selling need to be better understood.
One buyer’s experience: We recently purchased a 2012 Leaf with about 20k miles on the odometer, and it travels approximately 100 km (9 bars of battery health) However, dealers simply don’t appear to know how to market used EVs or PHEVs; in most cases, ignorance rather than malice is at blame.
I predict that dealer scrutiny will increase as the number of EVs on the used car market rises. Hope their understanding of EVs expands as well. In the interim, be sure to verify the range of the EVX you intend to buy, not simply what it says in the owner’s manual. Also, as always, buyer beware.
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