With EVs being environment-friendly and offering lower operational costs, many car buyers are switching over to electric vehicles. Most of the leading global auto companies are aligning their strategies in line with the prospects of a fully-electrified future. If you are planning to buy an EV, here are some important points and facts to consider.
Range – You have to assess your average monthly travel needs to understand how much range you need from your EV. As per current-gen battery technology, most of the mass-market EVs are able to deliver a range of around 300 to 500 km. If you have easy access to a charging point, you can even consider EVs with relatively shorter range. If charging is not easily available, it will be better to choose an EV with a higher range.
Battery warranty and battery life – In percentage terms, the battery pack is the single largest cost component in case of EVs. Depending on the model, the battery cost can be anywhere between 20% and 40% of the price of the EV. You need to read the warranty terms and conditions to clearly understand what is covered and not covered. Many OEMs provide free battery replacement in case some problems occur during the warranty period. The longer the battery warranty, the less will be the overall maintenance cost in the long run.
Safety features – There are tons of viral videos where electric cars can be seen engulfed in flames. Even the best brands such as Tesla EVs have not been spared from such unfortunate incidents. The issue is probably with the existing battery technology that is not capable of controlling a thermal runaway situation. Lithium-ion cells can ignite on their own, without the need of oxygen. For EV car buyers, it is important to discuss the safety aspects of the car. Choose an EV that has a good safety record.
Technology features – Consistent improvements are being made in EV technology stack. You need to choose an EV that is designed to support upgrades available in the future. Many EVs support OTA updates, allowing users to access new features. In specific cases, carmakers have also been able to increase range via OTA updates. Technology updates can also be installed at the service center.
Charging options – Most of the current-gen EVs offer standard and fast-charging options. The latter units are usually costlier and the buyer may be asked to pay an additional price. However, a fast charger can be extremely useful. As compared to a standard charger that can take several hours to recharge the battery, the fast charger can achieve the same in under an hour. For extensive travel needs, a fast charger will be most appropriate.
Charging infrastructure – If you do not have easy access to a home-based charging point, you will have to rely on charging stations available at public places. You can check the charging infrastructure being offered by the OEM. Also, you can enquire how many new charging stations will be installed in the city or your neighborhood in the coming years.
After sales service and support – It is generally believed that EVs require less maintenance. This is because EVs have fewer moving parts in comparison to an ICE-based (internal combustion engine) vehicle. However, your EV may still need regular service and maintenance. As compared to ICE vehicles, issues with EVs cannot be fixed by a typical roadside auto mechanic. Specialized skills and equipment will be needed for EVs. This is why good after-sales service and support are needed for EVs.
Price – EVs are usually priced higher than their ICE counterparts. However, EVs are getting cheaper, as the production numbers are constantly increasing. The higher price you pay for an EV will be automatically recovered via reduced operational costs. EVs can reduce your fuel bill by up to 50%. So, absolutely no issues in paying a slightly higher price for your EV.
Which EV to buy?
There are a number of EVs available in India. In the entry-level segment, one can choose EVs such as Tata Tiago EV, MG Comet EV and Citroen eC3. In the small SUV segment, Tata has recently launched the Punch EV. The largest selling electric SUV in the country is Tata Nexon EV. Mahindra currently offers the XUV400 EV.
In the premium segment, options available include Hyundai Kona Electric, MG ZS EV, Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5. Leading global brands such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi and Volvo have also launched EVs in India. China-based BYD Auto also has mega plans for the Indian EV market. Tesla is looking at starting operations in India as well.
