KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Unlike buying a combustion-powered car, buying an EV car is not as simple.
- The used EV market is rather small at the moment.
- The suspension, brakes and electronic are key areas to check when buying a used EV.
A used EV car may or may not be the first thing on everyone's minds when buying a car. However, there is a certain set of buyers who would definitely consider buying a used EV. Maybe you are someone looking for a first car, but with zero tail-pipe emissions and lighter running costs on their mind.
If you are that someone, here are a few tips we have on buying a used EV car. However, before going further, make sure to join the 91wheels WhatsApp Community to keep up with the latest news and automotive updates.
Also read: Electric Cars With Frunk: The Smart Storage Revolution
Tips On Buying A Used EV Car
More Than 3 Years Old Might Be Too Old
EV technology is being worked upon consistently, and with each update, an electric car becomes better in multiple aspects, such as range, battery size, charging, features, battery management, and so on. With manufacturers bringing out new updates to electric cars on a regular basis, the electric car of your choice may end up becoming outdated in a matter of mere months, and that can never be good, even if you are getting a good deal in terms of the price.
An example would be the pre-2022 facelift MG ZS EV, which is a nice car in many aspects. However, MG has continued to make the ZS EV better over the years, giving it more features, larger battery pack options, better charging, and a fresher design, as a result of which the pre-facelift ZS EV is simply too old to be considered as a used car buy.
Check The Company's Background With Producing EVs
If you are in the market to buy a used EV car, you might do well to check the car maker's history of producing EVs. Companies like MG and BYD have rarely had any reports of things going wrong in their electric cars. However, sadly that has not been the case with Indian manufacturers. Cars such as the Tata Nexon EV and the Punch EV have a track record of reported problems and niggles cropping up on a regular basis, which one can easily check on social media and various social media forums.
Meanwhile, the pre-facelift Mahindra XUV400 is an example of a half-baked car that lacked many important features such as traction control, and its interiors, derived from the not-defunct XUV300 were also outdated even back then.
It is important to note that while the XUV400 and the Nexon EV are built on existing ICE platforms to accomodate an EV drivetrain, the Punch EV is built on a born-electric platform, which should help the car become better with OTA updates.
Also read: Tesla Enters India, First Two Showrooms Opening In Mumbai And Delhi!
Suspension And Braking Issues
EVs are generally heavier when compared to their combustion-powered counterparts, especially when you consider the weight of battery packs and other components. This takes a toll on the suspension components, and create problems that can be difficult and costly to fix over the long run.
With most EVs equipped with regenerative braking, it is also important to check the condition of the brakes, which can possibly be worn out or even inactive. The rear brakes, in particular, are the ones to keep an eye out for.
Battery Degradation
The performance and health of any battery pack declines over time, for various reasons. For example, the battery pack of an iPhone goes through regular use, wear and tear, which brings down the battery health of the phone from 100% to anywhere near 80 or 90%. This will eventually bring the health of your battery pack down to a point where it will be unable to run without plugging it in for charging multiple times in a day.
The same logic applies to car battery packs as well. The health and performance of a car battery pack will also decline over time with regular usage and wear-and-tear. Fast charging on a frequent basis is said to be harmful to car battery packs, and it can shorten the battery life significantly. Ultimately, the health of the battery pack will come to a point where it will be unable to offer adequate performance as well, and logically you would rather replace the car rather than the battery pack individually.
Check The Electronics
With EVs packing a whole load of complex features running on electronics, it is important to make sure that things such as the infotainment, instrument cluster, and driver aids such as ADAS and regen braking are in top working condition, as these can also be rather complex and costly to get fixed.
Also read: Vinfast VF7 Top Highlights Explained: All You Should Know
Verdict
Buying a used EV in a market like India, where things are still at a developing level, can be complicated. The used car EV is rather small, but over time and with further developments, we can expect it to grow.
