An electric car can save you a lot of money and be lovely to drive, but only if it fits your life. Before you buy, work through this checklist so you choose with confidence rather than hope.
1. Can you charge where you live?
This is the single most important question. If you can charge at or near home, an EV is easy and cheap to live with. If you rely entirely on public charging, it can still work, but it takes more planning. Sort this out before anything else. Our EV charging guide explains the options.
2. Work out the range you really need
Match the car to your actual driving, not the worst case you can imagine. Most drivers cover far less in a day than a modern EV holds, so you rarely need the longest range on the market. Remember that cold weather and motorway speeds reduce range, so leave a sensible margin.
3. Check the battery and its warranty
The battery is the most valuable part of an EV. On a used electric car, ask about the battery health and how much of the battery warranty is left, since these warranties usually run longer than the rest of the car. A healthy battery with warranty remaining is worth paying a little more for.
4. Compare the true running cost
EVs are usually much cheaper to run per mile, especially charged at home, but the purchase price can be higher. Add it all up with the EV vs petrol calculator and the 5 year cost of ownership calculator so you compare honestly against a petrol or hybrid car.
5. Check incentives and taxes
Support for EVs varies a lot by country and changes often, from purchase grants to tax breaks, and some places now charge road user fees for electric cars. Check what applies where you live in the EV incentives by country guide before you budget.
6. New or used, and then inspect
A used EV can be a real bargain once the first owner has taken the depreciation, so weigh it up with the new vs used guide. Whichever you choose, test drive it properly, run a history check on anything used, and work through the inspection checklist.
