7 Things You Should Know Before Buying an Electric Car

You’re eyeing a new Tesla, and you think you’ve got it all down. You know what color and features you want, but you’re still trying to decide if it’ll be better than a gas-powered or hybrid option. If you’re trying to reduce emissions and be an agent of change, investing in an electric car is a great option. But before you head to the showroom or order online, there are some important things to consider. Owning an electric car has enormous benefits, and the car technology is very cool, but it’s a bit different than owning a gas-powered vehicle. Here are 7 things you should know before you buy an electric car.

You Won’t Have to Schedule Oil Changes Anymore

Great news, owning an electric car means that you don’t need to do the same maintenance that you need to complete with a gas-powered vehicle. This means that you no longer need to set aside time or money for regular oil changes. Although, you will want to save up cash for anything your warranty won’t cover on an electric car.

You’ll Need to Charge Your Battery

Charging a battery every day means that you need a place to easily charge it. While there are charging stations at more and more gas stations, workplaces, and around cities, having one at home will also be convenient. An electric car needs around 8 hours to fully charge if the battery is completely depleted. It’s a different habit than stopping at a gas station and it can take some time to create the new habit when you first start driving your electric car.

They Are Very Very Quiet

Has anyone ever snuck up on you? Imagine a car sneaking up on you. That’s what it’s like to drive an electric car. They are so sneaky that you won’t even know they are coming. While this might sound cool and something like out of a spy movie, the truth is that car noises help notify people around you that you’re coming. This can help pedestrians and other cars get out of the way if needed.

Electric Cars Have a Better Turn Radius Than Traditional Cars

You no longer need to think that an electric car is a glorified golf cart. Instead, they are fast, efficient cars that have been designed to move in distinct ways. Electric cars even have a better turn radius than regular cars. This means that when you need to get around tight corners, you’ll have a better chance in an electric car than a gas-powered one.

You Can Only Go Around 200 miles Before They Need Charging

Right now, an average electric car will only go 200 miles or so before they need to be fully charged again. And it takes around 8 hours for the batteries in the car to get charged up. For most people who work close to home, this isn’t a big deal. You simply would plug your car in at night in your electric vehicle charging station. Then, you can wake up to a full charge. When you want to take a road trip, this can cause a bit of anxiety. Fortunately, most gas stations now have charging stations, so if you plan ahead, you shouldn’t run out of battery juice even on a long road trip.

They Are Heavier Than Regular Cars

Have you ever felt a car battery? Think about the last time you had to change out the battery in your own car. Now imagine your car has multiple battery packs just so it can run. These weigh a lot and the structure required to contain them also weighs a lot. These factors combined make electric cars a lot heavier than any typical vehicle of a similar size.

Temperature Matters

Just like people, when it’s too hot or too cold, electric cars can get a little fussy. While they like temperatures around 70 degrees Fahrenheit the best, you can still drive them in extreme temperatures. You’ll notice some differences, however. In average temperatures like 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit, you’ll experience normal driving ranges. But when it’s hot outside and you can cook an egg on the road, the battery life will be diminished a bit. You’ll also notice a loss of battery life when it’s freezing outside.