All the info you need to buy a future electric car 2023.
Considering the price, range, maintenance cost, and everything else would be best before buying an electric car.
Electric cars are so prevalent these days, and among the various forms they have taken recently, they are emerging as the pinnacle of battery-powered vehicles. The reasons are simple – it has the longest range, the highest power an electric motor can generate, and offers the utmost luxury one can expect on a commuting journey.
And all of this is usually packed into a futuristic atmosphere for the traveler, with large screens up front, stunning interiors, and modern driver assistance systems to make driving easy.
India’s MySmartPrice has published a lengthy report on its electric car buying guide, where these indicators make the argument that electric cars should sell like hot cakes. Well, they did. Were it not for the very high price tags attached to them for the drive IC options?
Much of that cost stems from the need for large batteries. As electric vehicle makers push to increase the range of their electric vehicles, that cost will only grow at least until battery production technologies are developed to reduce their costs.
And then buying an electric car is not everyone’s cup of tea. Although it is a very attractive proposition, especially with the high fuel cost, choosing the right electric vehicle for you can take time, research, and a lot of brainstorming.
And to help make this process easier for you, we’ve compiled a list of things you should keep in mind while choosing your next EV. These important aspects work regardless of the price range or capabilities of electric vehicles and should help you with whatever kind of budget you may have planned.
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The range the electric car travels on a single charge.
The most important factor in determining the best electric car for you, period. If you are aware of recent events in electric vehicles, automakers highlight this as the go-to feature in their best offering. Electric vehicles with a claimed range of more than 500 km on a single charge are now on the market, and if you’re able to spend your best bucks, nothing is stopping you, or your electric car, from getting to your destination.
Some examples of such electric vehicles in India include the Hyundai Kona, which can reach 484 km on a single charge, followed by the recently launched Tata Nexon EV Max, which covers 437 km in a similar scenario. The MG-ZS EV also has a great range of 461 km on a full charge. Of course, real-world performance drops, but you can still expect to cover more than 400 kilometers in any electric vehicle without stopping to charge.
This is an easy route from Delhi to Shimla in one go.
On the other hand, if you are attached to an electric car that only travels a limited distance on a full charge, you’ll probably be spending a lot of your time traveling, well, not traveling. Simply because recharging an electric vehicle is not as easy as refueling or diesel. It takes over an hour, even in the fastest charging scenarios. So there is no way to drive an electric car without pre-planning its charging schedule. This brings us to the next point.
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Fast charging cars
With electric vehicle makers highlighting the range, people often focus on it and forget to check out this important EV component. If your electric car travels long distances but takes a long time to recharge, your travel plans can’t be as automatic as you might like. Therefore, choose an electric car that charges from 0 to a full charge in the least amount of time possible.
As per industry standards, the best electric cars in India charge from 0 to 80 percent within an hour. In the above examples, the Kona charges its battery in 54 minutes, that is, through a 100 kW DC charger.
The Nexon EV Max clocks in at 56 minutes at 0-80 percent via a conventional 50-kilowatt fast charger, while the MG-ZS EV cuts that to just 50 minutes.
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Electric cars type
If this is the first part of research into electric vehicles, you should know that there is not only one type of such vehicle on the market.
Electronic cars are divided into four types:
Those that are all-electric, those that use an IC powered by an electric motor (called a Hybrid), hybrids that have an additional charge and can therefore run on the engine alone, and finally, those that we call EVs that Fuel cell powered like Toyota Mirai.
Although the general operating principle of all types is the same, the actual application is different in different ways, and each has its advantages and disadvantages. A hybrid engine can be used to increase the range of your gas-powered vehicle. In contrast, a hybrid with electricity can use the IC and electric motor separately at different times, increasing your options.
A fuel cell vehicle can be fueled with hydrogen in a few minutes, but you will have difficulty finding a hydrogen refueling station in India. So choose wisely as per your requirements.
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Car Brand Manufacturer
While it is a deciding factor, it should not be too difficult for you to decide. This is because there are only limited options for electric cars in India so far, and depending on your budget, you probably won’t have to choose between two options. The best part is all the current names are well known and reputable and will only provide you with the best products and services.
For a hint, know that Tata is one of the major players in the price range from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh. Mahindra also graces this space with an eVerito costing just under 10 lakh rupees. Then there are foreign players like Hyundai, Kia, and MG Motors, who offer premium electric cars in the range of Rs 20 to Rs 30 lakh. The best deals go for over Rs 1 crore and come from Audi, BMW, and Porsche.
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Performance
Electric vehicles have a huge advantage over petrol or diesel here, thanks to the instantaneous torque they can produce. You may have seen this in many drag races between Tesla and high-performance cars. So torque might not be the performance aspect you’ll worry about. But what about the other details?
Maximum speed, for example, varies from EV to EV. While electric scooters have a bleak picture here, electric cars can give you a real thrill at speed if you need one. Example? The Tigor EV can only hit 120 km/h, but it goes way beyond its price range, and you’ll see the Nexon EV Max boost that to 140 km/h while the Mercedes Benz EQC can touch 180 km/h.
Electric cars come with very powerful batteries and keep away from the problems of electric scooters, such as those related to an exploding battery. However, you may still want to check the warranty that the electric vehicle maker offers on your vehicle, simply because the batteries are the most expensive component of an electric car, and a small malfunction can cause your vehicle to stall.
Thus, it is good to be safe with a long-term warranty for your next electric car battery. Most brands offer a warranty for eight years or up to 1.6 thousand kilometers of run on their EV battery. You may want to rethink your electric vehicle choice if you see a number lower than this.
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After-sales service
Again, an easy choice based on a few well-known brands in the market. However, even if you are sure about the quality of service on your electric vehicle, you may want to check the location of service centers and the ease with which you can access them. Besides, it will be easy to know if the dealer or brand offers emergency roadside assistance because an ordinary mechanic cannot necessarily repair electric cars if they break down.
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Maintenance cost
Depending on the service aspect of your electric vehicle, you should also know how much it will cost to maintain in the long run. Be aware that the cost of maintaining electric cars, in general, is less expensive than IC drive vehicles because there are far fewer mechanical parts in operation. However, in the long run, it would be helpful to have a detailed breakdown of when and how much to order your own electric vehicle.
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Driver assistance systems
Electric cars these days often represent the pinnacle of automotive technology. You can expect many new features in your next part, including a large infotainment system, more unique connectivity options, and, most importantly, basic driver assistance systems. You may want to check out the electric car, which offers more at its price, as it will help you drive safer and easier while traveling.
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Deluxe Features
Electric cars largely depend on price and have a lot to offer those looking for in-car luxury. From individual climate control to lighting systems, ventilated seats, support for voice commands, wireless charging, etc., you name it, and an electric vehicle in the market may have this feature.
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Price of the electric car
It all comes down to the money you are willing to spend on your next electric vehicle. As we mentioned in the different price brackets where the current EV offerings stand, there is a high chance of getting one that will satisfy you and your budget.
Of course, you will have to spend more than you would on a motor IC, but it is known that EV recovers this cost with its uptime by saving you from the huge expense of refueling. Do the math and be sure how much you can spend initially to maximize your future earnings.
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