Electric cars are fast gaining popularity among Indian buyers due to the environmentally friendly profile, lower fuel costs, and incentives offered by the government. Here’s an all-inclusive buying guide for electric cars on all that should be considered before finally getting an electric vehicle in India.
Buying Guide for Electric Cars – Why Buy an Electric Car?
- Environmental Benefits: EVs emit no tailpipe emissions, thus reducing the pollution of air and keeping the environment cleaner.
- Lower Running Costs: EVs are cheaper to run than their traditional gasoline-powered counterparts because of cheaper fuel and lower maintenance.
- Government Incentives: The government of India offers subsidies, reduced registration fees, and tax benefits to this technology under the FAME-II scheme.
- Silent and Smooth Ride: EVs run noiselessly and give a smooth ride as there are fewer moving parts.
- Long-Term Savings: Though expensive initially, the saving is huge in the long run as the fuel and maintenance costs are low.
Did you know that India aims for 30% of all vehicle sales to be electric by 2030 as part of its goal to reduce carbon emissions and urban air pollution, making EV adoption a key part of the country's climate policy.
What to Check Before Buying?
- Range Per Charge: All EV models will be different when it comes to the range per charge. With your specific needs and requirements for getting around on a daily basis, make sure the EV you’re choosing would offer enough miles per charge.
- Charging Time: Charging times vary. Look for fast-charging options since they will significantly cut down on wait times when compared to standard home charging.
- Service Network: Choose a car manufacturer that is quite strong as regards its service network in addition to good support for EVs in India. Evs require specialized care and their part, which might need particular skills and parts.
- Charging Infrastructure Find out if charging stations are available in your city, along your common travel routes and at your workplace. Also, check if the EV can be charged with a regular home socket.
- Battery life and warranty: Battery packs are the most expensive component of an EV. A person should look for warranties that are normally between 5 and 8 years long and study a battery’s lifespan.
Features Every Electric Car Must Have
- Regenerative Braking: Charging the battery a little every time the brakes are applied, of course, extends the mileage of the car.
- Smart Connectivity: Several EVs come with applications you can run from your phone to track the state of the battery, locate charging stations, and even monitor some features remotely.
- Advanced Safety Features: ABS, airbags, stability control, and reinforced protection on the battery.
- Fast-Charging Capability: A fast-charging port, or DC charging, is required if you’re going to travel long distances and you will want a quick recharge.
- Battery Management System (BMS) : An ideal BMS will prevent the battery from being charged up to an extreme or overheated. In this way, it prolongs its life span and keeps it safe.
Did you know that the cost of EV batteries has fallen by more than 85% since 2010. This significant drop is one reason why electric cars are becoming more affordable and accessible to consumers.
What to Consider Before Buying
- Initial Cost: EVs are more costly at the time of launch compared to the conventional ones, but incentives may offset this.
- Resale Value: The resale value of EVs in India will largely be uncertain as it will be much dependent on the technical developments in the battery technology and further government policies.
- Insurance Costs: Although insurance for EVs is slightly less expensive, some insurers charge extra to cover batteries.
- Range Anxiety: Although range anxiety in India remains a nagging concern even today, reduced range anxiety has been seen with improvements in charging infrastructure, for which the government of India is making some efforts.
- Weather Impact: High temperatures might create inefficiency in the batteries. So, check if the cooling system of the EV is suitable for Indian conditions.
Electric Car Maintenance
- Battery Care: Take care of the charging cycle as per instructions by the manufacturer and prevent overcharging to extend the life of the battery.
- Regular Software Updates: Like computers, most EVs update software for better performances, extended ranges, and higher efficiency. Keep updated on the existing software updates of your vehicle.
- Regular Checks: Although EVs require less maintenance, they do not escape all checks entirely on brake wear and tear, coolant, as well as tire conditions.
- Charge Equipment Maintenance If you install a home charger, it’s to be maintained properly so that charging is safe and efficient.
- Manufacturer’s Service Ensure your EV gets serviced at an authorized service center time to time so that your warranty remains valid and you get whatever spare parts you might require.
Considering these factors, you can make an informed decision in selecting the right electric vehicle in India’s rapidly evolving EV landscape.
