Electric vehicle expert John Voelcker working at Green Car Reports (USA) has given some useful advice on choosing to buy used electric vehicles.
1. Check the battery status
The battery is one of the most important parts of an electric vehicle, checking the battery status is indispensable when buying an old electric vehicle.
The battery will reduce performance over time, so you need to make sure that the vehicle's battery is still able to operate well. Mr. Voelcker recommends that buyers should request information about the charging history and the battery's ability to retain energy.
Some electric vehicles also have a battery warranty of about 8 years, so you should check if the vehicle is still within the warranty period.
2. Check the charging system
Checking charging ports and charger status is very important to ensure the vehicle can be charged quickly and effectively. If your vehicle's charger is broken or no longer works well, you may have to pay a large fee to replace it.
3. Consider the vehicle's usage process
Another factor to note is the way the previous owner used the car. Used vehicles may show signs of wear and tear if used incorrectly or often driven in harsh conditions.
You need to ask the vehicle owner to provide information about the number of kilometers you have traveled and can ask to check the vehicle's maintenance history report to determine whether the vehicle has been properly maintained or not.
A car that has been well maintained will operate more efficiently and can save on repair costs in the future.
4. Checking mechanical status
Although electric vehicles have fewer mechanical parts than gasoline vehicles, you still need to check factors such as suspension, braking and tire systems. Mr. Voelcker emphasized that if the used car shows signs of serious wear and tear in these parts, you may have to invest in repairing or replacing it.
5. Limited travel distance
Old electric vehicles often have less travel distance than new vehicles, due to reduced battery performance over time. Therefore, buyers should carefully research the range of vehicle travel when fully charged and determine whether it is suitable for your daily travel needs.
