Advantages and maintenance costs of electric generators

When considering the purchase of electric cars, the main advantages are clear - they are clean, quiet and cheap to maintain. So, in fact, a wonderful alternative to gasoline and diesel, if it were not for the higher purchase costs, which are not so drastic in the case of a used vehicle. From a practical point of view, an electric car has far fewer wearing parts than a car with an internal combustion engine. Therefore, when buying a used one, you don't need to pay attention to things like timing belt, spark plugs, gearbox, fuel system, because electric cars simply don't have those.

Electric motors are much simpler than internal combustion engines, have a longer life and require less and less frequent maintenance. Various studies, including Germany's ADAC, show that maintenance costs are on average 35% lower than internal combustion vehicles due to no need for oil changes, no exhaust system and less brake wear.

Driving distance and charging

To find the right electric car, you should first understand your personal requirements regarding the dimensions, equipment, etc. of the desired vehicle. When choosing an electric car, the buyer must also think about the mileage range and charging technology. If, for example, you have to drive only 50 kilometers every day, then an electric car with a first-generation battery will be able to do it even in winter conditions. If it is necessary to drive 100 kilometers or more, it may not be possible for early models with an outdated battery. It should be noted that the range of bravo cars includes various electric cars, the range of which varies between 150 and 400 km per charge.

The next important question is where it will be possible to charge the car - whether it will be done mainly at home and at work, or whether public charging stations will have to be used frequently. It should be noted that the second option results in significantly higher operating costs. Another important point for suitability for daily use is the fast charging function, i.e. or the car can be charged with direct current (DC) and a charging capacity of up to and exceeding 50 kWh. This feature is especially important for those who have to make longer journeys on a daily basis or on weekends.

Based on the manufacturer's data on how many km can be driven with one charge, it should be borne in mind that the actual mileage will most likely be less. This largely depends on driving habits, outside temperature and weather, as well as on, for example, the use of heating or air conditioning. Depending on the conditions and application, for example, the usual driving distance of 200 kilometers can be reduced to 100 km in emergency cases in winter.

Battery condition and longevity

The battery is the most expensive component of an electric car, which wears out over time and use (charge cycles). Today's lithium-ion batteries last between 1,500 and 2,500 charge cycles, which corresponds to a period of about ten years with an average driving style. And even then, the battery is not dead immediately, but only slightly weaker with 70-80% of the remaining energy content. According to research by a British leasing company, battery capacity losses in electric cars ranged from zero to 4.1 percent after one year alone. It should be noted that the newer the vehicles, the better the quality of their batteries and electric motors.

If the battery is no longer in good enough condition, it is not necessary to replace the entire cell at once. It is often sufficient to replace individual battery modules. For now, it is not yet clear if and when the services will do it and how much it will cost. At the moment, manufacturers are tight-lipped about this topic, however, by nature, most batteries are designed so that its modules can be easily replaced.

Therefore, it is very important to check the state of health of the battery ("State of health" = SOH) before buying. It should be noted that the condition of the batteries is one of the elements that are checked during regular dealer maintenance and inspections. If the seller is able to show a printout of the battery condition, as well as the fact that the car is regularly serviced by the dealer, then this indicates a reliable dealer, while if these elements are missing, then some caution should be exercised.

History, use and warranty

The seller should be able to provide as much information as possible about the history of the vehicle, its range on a single charge and the condition of the battery. Also, it is definitely worth finding out from the seller about battery damage, repair and usage habits, because the battery lasts longer if it is charged to 80% and not with fast charging. A thorough inspection of the service book is no less important for an electric car than for a regular car, because regular maintenance confirms that the vehicle has been followed up. Without accurate documentation, it will be difficult to claim warranty repairs, especially for the battery or other electrical system components that have a longer warranty period.

It is essential to clarify the warranty terms applicable to the desired car. While first-generation electric cars often still had a 5-year or 100,000 km warranty for the battery system, most manufacturers have now specified a period of 8 years or 160,000 km. The warranty case occurs when the remaining battery capacity falls below the limit set by the manufacturer - usually it is at the 70 percent mark. The closer the car is to the end of this warranty, the greater the risk for the used car buyer that he will have to pay for defects himself. Another important factor is to find out if and which charging cables come with the car, and preferably check their operation.

Residual value and acquisition

In general, the development of the residual value of a car depends on many factors. In the case of electric cars, the still relatively rapid technical development of vehicles and charging technologies, as well as the ever-increasing distances per charge, have a negative impact on the value of older models. On the other hand, the demand for used electric cars is also growing significantly, which in turn can have a positive effect on residual values. If at some point only zero-emission cars are allowed to enter cities, this too would significantly increase the demand for used electric cars and, accordingly, their value. It should be taken into account that the value of older electric cars (8+ years) will most likely drop rapidly, as the warranty expires at this age and there is a risk not only of reduced battery efficiency, but also of complete battery failure.

Taking into account the above, the safest thing would be to take your first electric car on operational leasing, thus ensuring against any risk related to the development of the residual value. It should also be remembered that the state is currently available for the purchase of used electric cars in the amount of 2,250 euros.