No surprises that interest and sales of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) have increased significantly in recent times driven mainly by the sharp increase in fuel costs. Both the new and used market segments are reporting an uplift in sales numbers in comparison to previous months.
While the golden rule of looking for a vehicle that is fit for purpose still applies for both new and used BEVs, it does become a lot less complicated for potential buyers when they have the coin to purchase new. All they need to concentrate on is finding a vehicle that ticks their boxes in terms of size, style and comfort etc. Purchasing new also means buyers get the benefit of full warranty periods, factory backup and updates and advice on the installation of home charges etc based on the manufacturers often strict guide lines.
Doing your homework on used BEVs
Purchasing a used BEV from an authorised franchise dealer also comes with some of those same benefits depending on the age of the vehicle, which do provide peace of mind for buyers.
That’s not to say the non-franchised dealer networks around the country don’t offer a similar service, but as these vehicles age, there is a much heavier responsibility on potential owners to do their homework and ask as many questions as possible or put to bed some niggly doubts they may have.
BUYER TIPS when looking for a suitable used BEV vehicle
Finding a suitable vehicle and finding a reputable dealer are arguably just as important. Purchasing privately can also be a huge risk as it’s very much buyer beware.
The points listed below are general and should be used as a guide only.
1) Just for a moment put aside the fact that purchasing a BEV is the priority. Any motor vehicle under consideration needs to be checked out for such things as general wear and tear, body condition and water damage. It’s easy to get caught up in the moment of purchasing a BEV and forget some of the more important and traditional checks. A pre-purchase inspection of some sort is highly recommended, especially so if buying privately.
2) Once all the checks have been carried out and before signing on the dotted line, a call to the preferred household and vehicle insurance company is also recommended. They may ask questions that potential buyers didn’t see coming which may drive premium costs up.
3) Regardless of the vehicles age, a check and written report on the health of the vehicle’s battery is a high priority. The warranty on batteries from new for a mainstream BEV, currently sits around 8 to 10 years (or distance based) and while there will always be exceptions to the rule, it’s not a bad figure to keep in mind when purchasing a used BEV. Also in many cases, the history of the actual conditions the vehicle was subjected to in its previous life, may have a bearing on the battery’s longevity. Try and carry out some research on the costs of a replacement battery. It won’t be cheap but reports from within the industry would suggest they are reducing in price.
4) As the BEVs age, battery capacity will gradually deteriorate over time which means travel distances between charges will become less, which in turn means the vehicles resale value will decrease as well.
5) As stated earlier, purchasing a vehicle fit for purchase is critical with a BEV having a few more boxes to tick. If towing, carrying extra weight or travelling long distances is a regular occurrence, then distances between charges will be a lot less in comparison to claimed figures. Checking out the nearest charging network and factoring in costs to recharge are necessary considerations. Also, its highly likely towing or the fitting of a towbar may not even be recommended at all by many manufacturers.
6) How and where the vehicle will be charged is another box to tick. If the vehicle is not garaged then a discussion about a waterproof and approved outlet should be made with a qualified tradesperson. Similarly, the cost of an approved EV wall fast charger should be taken into account. If it’s a standard three pin plug type charger to be used, then the time it takes to charge the vehicle fully may come as a big surprise to many.
7) A chat with the current household power company to gain an understanding on costs, plans and the most affordable times to charge a BEV should be made.
8) BEVs must pay a Road User Charge which currently sits at $76 per 1,000kms so its another cost to factor in as is talking to repair shops about routine maintenance bills and the costs of replacement tyres which can be a lot more expensive than conventional mainstream rubber.
9) Be realistic with prices when selling privately or trading in the old vehicle especially if it’s a bit thirsty on the petrol or diesel.
In summary, weigh up all the pros and cons very carefully as making a bad call could potentially mean literally thousands of dollars are washed down the drain. In other cases, it may be the best move ever made.
