While interest in electric cars is growing, they are new territory for most motorists. In fact, there are some big differences to the combustion car. In order not to make any serious mistakes when buying an electric car, you should pay attention to a few things.
Most people have probably already bought a car with a combustion engine. It is different with the electric car. And here one should note one or the other that it is not relevant when buying a combustion car.
Don’t worry about personal requirements
A big mistake is not to think about your personal requirements beforehand. Because when choosing a vehicle, the daily distance traveled as well as the charging options at home or at work must be taken into account. It is also advisable to consider whether there are public charging stations in the area and how often you might have to charge your vehicle there.
For example, if you decide to buy a car with a quick-charging function (CCS connection), it will recharge the battery much more quickly than is the case with normal charging. An electric car without a CCS connection should also be sufficient for city trips, but anyone who relies on regular fast charging should not do without the fast charging function. In addition, one should not skimp on the battery for long journeys; the choice should fall on a car with a high battery capacity.
Ignore the battery guarantee
It is also important to pay attention to the battery guarantee. If you don’t do that, you could get very angry later on. Because the battery is practically the heart of an electric car – and the most expensive component. Manufacturers guarantee a minimum proportion of usable battery capacity within a certain period of use. Most manufacturers set this minimum limit at 70 percent after eight years of operation or a mileage of 160,000 kilometers.
If the battery performance falls below the minimum limit within the specified framework, a warranty claim can be asserted. The manufacturer then replaces individual battery modules or replaces the entire battery free of charge. The basic requirement here is that the car owner has complied with the user rules and thus the warranty conditions of his vehicle.
Forgo the heat pump
Basically, the maximum range specified by the manufacturer is usually significantly higher than the real range. In summer, the range is usually around 20 percent below the specified value, and in winter it is even up to 40 percent below – partly because of the energy consumption caused by the heating being switched on.
You should therefore not do without the heat pump. It prevents the fan heater from drawing power from the battery. Instead, the waste heat from the drive components or the ambient heat is used for heating. It should also be noted that the range of an electric car decreases over time.
Do not read the guarantee conditions in advance
Another mistake can result from not reading the car’s warranty conditions beforehand. The ADAC recommends this, after all, an electric car must be serviced in good time and the software updates must be carried out. You should have the usable battery capacity certified when new.
Do not inform about manufacturer service network
It can also be annoying if you haven’t informed yourself about the manufacturer’s service network. Because you should know in advance where you can have your vehicle serviced or repaired. For example, the Tesla service points are sometimes distributed unevenly.
Refrain from subsidies
There are definitely high subsidies for electric cars that can reduce the costs by several thousand euros. So you shouldn’t do without subsidies. After all, the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control pays an environmental bonus of up to 9,000 euros together with the respective car manufacturer.
There is also the so-called GHG quota, where the CO2 saved by using the electric car can be sold to fuel suppliers, for example. This works with a service provider who registers the vehicle with the Federal Environment Agency and sells the CO2 savings. Depending on the provider, you can earn up to 400 euros.
Anyone who buys an electric car by the end of 2025 will be exempt from vehicle tax until 2030. In addition, tradesman costs of up to 6,000 euros for the installation of the wall box can be deducted from the tax. The tax office deducts 20 percent of the amount directly from the tax liability, so that you can save up to 1200 euros.
This also applies to used cars. There are also some local and regional support programs. The state of Baden-Württemberg, for example, pays everyone who has their own photovoltaic system at home 1,000 euros for a new electric car and 500 euros for a wall box. The Rhenish energy supplier Rhenag is also donating an e-car subsidy of 500 euros. The prerequisite for this, however, is that you get your electricity there for the next five years. In view of the high subsidies, one should always pay attention to further subsidies.
Don’t pay attention to a complete checkbook
The supply of used electric cars is gradually growing. They are slightly cheaper than new cars and may also be easier or quicker to obtain. Because the delivery times of cars have recently increased further due to the effects of the Ukraine war. When buying a used e-car, however, there are uncertainties regarding the battery performance and the residual value of the vehicle. An electric car has significantly fewer wearing parts than a combustion car, so you don’t have to worry about a possibly defective clutch or exhaust.
In order to be as sure as possible that the vehicle’s battery is in good condition, ADAC advises paying attention to test reports and a complete checkbook. Finally, this confirms the regular checks and maintenance in the manufacturer’s workshop. In addition, a check in a specialist workshop is advisable before buying. ADAC offers an online price calculator that can help estimate the value of a used electric car.
Do not document damage and defects
Ultimately, however, buying an electric car, like any car purchase, is a matter of luck. You should therefore ask for information about the history of the vehicle, its range and battery status. Battery damage or repairs should be documented in writing in the purchase contract. The same applies to charging cables and other accessories. A missing or defective charging cable leads to diarrhea during the main inspection.
Swell: ADAC, Consumer Center, ADAC, Stiftung Warentest, E-driver