The popularity of electric cars has soared in recent years, leading to an increasing number of second-hand electric vehicles appearing on the used car market. This makes electric cars accessible to a new demographic who cannot or do not wish to afford the relatively high new price of an electric car.
Although a used electric car might seem attractive at first glance – the price for a second-hand electric vehicle is roughly the same as the price for a comparable new petrol car – there are a number of things to consider when purchasing one.
Declining battery pack performance
There is, of course, a reason why second-hand electric cars are relatively cheap. Their depreciation is mainly due to the declining performance of the battery. The already limited range of a fully electric car further decreases during its lifespan. Those who want to benefit from the advantages of electric driving will therefore have to accept this disadvantage and charge more frequently in between. Furthermore, the warranty period on the battery in an electric car expires within five or eight years, which means older electric used cars lose their appeal. A new battery pack is, after all, an expensive business, making replacing it in an older car practically pointless.
Range is steadily increasing
The distances that new electric cars can travel on a single charge are slowly increasing. When these vehicles become available second-hand in five to ten years, the used car market will really take off. It remains to be seen whether developments will proceed quickly enough to meet the objectives of the Climate Agreement.
Driving an electric car is cheaper than driving on fossil fuels and it is, of course, good for the environment. As a result, a relatively inexpensive second-hand electric car is an attractive alternative to a new petrol or diesel car. Furthermore, an electric car is cheaper to maintain and quieter than a ‘regular’ car. Plus, electric cars have huge torque, which allows them to accelerate swiftly.
Second-hand market is not taking off yet
The choice of an electric car is very personal. Although more and more people are considering buying an electric car – new or used – the majority still opt for an economical hybrid or petrol car. Besides the limited range, the number of charging points in the Netherlands, although the highest in Europe, forms a stumbling block. Electric driving only becomes truly attractive with your own charging station [link to previous blog article] on your doorstep, preferably linked to your solar panels.
Buying a used electric car? Be careful!
When buying a second-hand electric car, it's important to make a good assessment of the battery's condition. Mileage doesn't tell the whole story in this regard. The charging behaviour of the previous owner(s) has a significant impact on the battery pack's condition. For instance, it's not good for the battery to recharge it when it's almost full. On the other hand, it's also detrimental to drive it almost completely empty before charging. Frequent fast charging also deteriorates the battery's condition.
Test drive
But how do you get a good idea of the condition of the battery pack in the used electric car you're interested in? The best approach is to have the battery tested. However, you can also get a pretty good impression of the battery's condition during a test drive. Ideally, you should almost completely deplete the battery, which isn't too difficult given the limited range. Then, charge the battery using a fast charger to see how quickly that goes. In any case, you don't need to worry about a second-hand car. to drive into, like a new car.
Are you considering buying a used electric car? Why or why not? Share your thoughts with our followers! A Hire a van in the Echt regionOr a Removals van hire in the Sittard regionAt Adrem Car Rental, you're in the right place!
