With gas prices still higher than normal, more drivers are considering switching to electric vehicles.
As of July 21, the average price of regular gasoline is $4.44, according to the American Automobile Association. While prices are down more than 50 cents from a month ago, they are still well above the $3.17 average for the same period last year.
The new interest of drivers in electric cars is not only focused on the latest models. Interest in used electric vehicles has also increased. said a report from the research firm Recurrent.
Last year, half of electric vehicle buyers said they would consider buying used, according to Recurrent surveys. This year, 80% of electric vehicle buyers said they would consider buying used electric vehicles.
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Higher gas prices, a tighter supply of new cars and several new model launches have contributed to increased interest in used electric vehicles, said Andrew Garberson, Recurrent’s chief marketing officer.
“Once a secondary market is established, it typically doesn’t go away,” Garberson said in a statement.
Some of the rules for buying a used electric car are no different than when choosing a used gas-powered vehicle.
“Same thing with gasoline, fuel cell, hybrids or any kind of car, really diesel, whatever. The newer (the) used car, the better it is,” said Brian Moody, executive editor. with Kelley Blue Book.
Then there are specific factors if you want to go electric, whether you’re buying a new or used model. Do you have a space to load your car? Does the car offer the autonomy you need for your day-to-day life?
Edmunds consumer insights analyst Joseph Yoon said one of the biggest challenges in buying a used EV is finding one in the first place. Because EVs are a new category, there aren’t as many available as older, more popular gasoline vehicles.
“With such limited options, you may not find the car that fits your needs as a driver, whether it’s because of size, range or a combination of factors,” Yoon said.
Recurrent’s research also listed the top five best-selling electric car brands in the US in 2021. Surprisingly, none of them are high-end Tesla models, a brand that has become synonymous with electric vehicles.
Many of the cheapest used electric vehicles can also be found online on car sites like caravan Y CarmaxThere they are sold at substantial discounts that are nowhere near the average $43,990 for a basic Tesla Model 3.
Those top five electric vehicle brands and how many electric cars they sold in 2021 are:
Ford F-Series: 726,004
Dodge Ram: 569,388
Chevrolet Silverado: 529,765
Toyota RAV4: 407,739
Honda CR-V: 361,271
Electric vehicle batteries, just like any other device, will degrade over time. How much it degrades depends on different factors, including your age.
On average, the range an EV battery can handle will degrade by about 2.3% each year, according to geotaban analysis company that studied the battery condition of 6,300 electric vehicles.
For example, if you buy a new electric vehicle with 200 miles of range, you’ll lose about five miles of range after a year.
Yoon said that kind of drop in range isn’t usually that big, but it all depends on the needs of the drivers.
“If that final 10% is going to make the difference between getting home or not, then I should look for a car with better range,” Yoon said.
Moody’s also advises buyers to ask how the used EV was charged. Some manufacturers like Kia point out that frequent use of fast-charging systems can degrade batteries over time, he said.
“If I were buying a used car, I’d like to know if it was ever used with a fast charger or if it was always plugged in at home overnight and charged more slowly,” Moody said.
Some brands like Ford also offer nationwide networks of charging stations, so you can plan a trip across the country or a shorter jaunt all the way around where you can quickly charge up nearby.
Consumers who want to try out the electric experience don’t have to buy a fully electric vehicle. There are also plug-in hybrids, or PHEVa type of vehicle that can run on an electric motor for short distances and then automatically switch to a gas-powered internal combustion engine.
Like hybrids and standard EVs, PHEVs can recharge batteries using regenerative braking or other charging equipment.
“You would get an idea of how an electric car is going to work for you,” Moody said of choosing a plug-in hybrid. “If it doesn’t work, then it doesn’t matter, you still have this (hybrid). If it works, great, and the next time you buy one, just buy a fully electric car and never worry about it again.”
Follow Brett Molina on Twitter: @BrettMolina.
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