What is important when buying?



[ad_1]

Charge, Battery and Co.

If you want to switch from an internal combustion engine to an electric motor car, you should think about its use before buying it. But what are the really important questions?

Where can I charge my new electric car? Those interested in buying electric cars should answer this question first, advises Stefan Heimlich. “The behavior of use is different from that of combustion engines,” says the president of Auto Club Europe (ACE). “Electric vehicles charge between 80 and 90 percent at home. Few owners drive to a third place as a service station. Therefore, stakeholders should have a charging facility in the home.”

The alternative would be to charge in the workplace, but not charge in the public space so far. “Public charging stations are too slow, high-performance charging stations on the roads are too expensive,” he says.

How much rank do i really need?

Then the question of the correct vehicle and the desired range arises with a battery charge. “The fear of range is largely unfounded, as 80 percent of drivers only ride about 40 kilometers a day. When the car is charged at night, the battery fills up again in the morning,” says Heimlich. Therefore, a small or compact car would suffice. Stakeholders should ask themselves how often they drive long distances or if they want to travel by car.

If the electric car is used as a second car for commuting and in city traffic, a small car is sufficient. “Solid and good electric cars start at € 16,000 with the deduction of the subsidy,” says Heimlich. Because pure electric cars (battery electric vehicles and fuel cell vehicles) of up to € 40,000 list price can be financed with up to € 6,000.

Operating costs are lower for the electric car

Electric car operating costs are up to 60 percent lower, as maintenance is significantly less and electricity costs are lower than gasoline or diesel costs. Battery-powered fuel cell vehicles, which are also considered electric vehicles, are, on the other hand, too expensive and clear with just two models. Only the Hyundai Nexo (from € 69,000) and the Toyota Mirai (from € 78,600) are currently sold in Germany.

How fast can you get a full charge?

Thomas Schreiner of the Auto- und Reiseclub Deutschland (ARCD) advises to take a closer look at the technical data of electric vehicles and ask them questions. “In addition to the power and battery size of the electric car, it is also about the charging speed. This includes charging with alternating or direct current, and especially if it is single-phase or three-phase,” he says.

Depending on the make and model, the so-called on-board charger in the electric vehicle cannot transport electricity from the wall box to the car fast enough, so the charging speed is reduced. In the vehicle, the alternating current from the network is converted to direct current for storage in the battery.

“With a weak on-board charger, charging power from the outside, at home, or at a public charging station cannot be fully utilized. Therefore, electric cars must have at least a three-phase charger, even if it costs some extra, “advises Schreiner. Direct current flows directly into high-speed charging stations on motorways, and here the on-board charger does not play a restrictive role.

Even if the smallest city vehicles tend to have a smaller battery and thus a shorter range, Schreiner believes this category makes sense. “They are smaller, more agile, they drive locally without emissions, they consume little electricity and, thanks to the environmental bonus, they sometimes cost less than 20,000 euros,” he says. A large battery provides more range, but it also needs to be charged longer.

[ad_2]