EV Buyer's Checklist

Battery & Range

Range is the first thing everyone asks about, but the real question is not "how far can it go on a full charge" but "does it cover my daily driving without stress?" Most people drive 40-80 km per day. A car with 300 km of WLTP rated range covers that easily with plenty of buffer, even in winter. You do not need 500+ km of range unless you regularly drive long distances without access to fast chargers.

• ✓ Check WLTP rated range vs what you get in practice. WLTP and EPA ratings are lab-tested. Expect 10-30% less in everyday driving depending on weather and driving style. Check Euro NCAP for independent safety and performance data.
• ✓ Understand battery capacity (kWh). Larger batteries (60-100 kWh) provide more range but cost more. Match battery size to your actual needs, not worst-case scenarios. Compare specs across 150+ models to find the right fit.
• ✓ Battery warranty coverage. Most EVs offer 8 years or 160,000 km battery warranty with 70-80% capacity guarantee. Check specific terms before buying.
• ✓ Battery degradation expectations. Modern EV batteries retain 80-90% capacity after 5-8 years with proper care. Used EVs should include battery health report.
• ✓ Temperature impact on range. Cold weather (-10°C) can reduce range by 20-30%. Hot weather has less impact. Consider your climate when choosing an EV.

Charging Infrastructure

Where you charge matters more than the car's maximum range. If you can charge at home overnight, you wake up every morning with a full battery and rarely think about charging. If you rely entirely on public chargers, you need to check that there are reliable options near your home, workplace, or regular routes. The charging infrastructure varies widely by area.

• ✓ Home charging options. Standard outlet (1.4 kW) adds 6-8 km/hour. Level 2 charger (7-11 kW) adds 40-70 km/hour.
• ✓ Public charging network in your area. Check availability of public chargers near home, work, and frequent destinations. Apps like PlugShare show real-time availability.
• ✓ Workplace charging availability. Free workplace charging significantly reduces ownership costs. Ask your employer about current or planned charging infrastructure.
• ✓ Charging speed compatibility. Check max AC charging speed (typically 7-11 kW) and DC fast charging speed (50-350 kW). Higher speeds reduce charging time on road trips.
• ✓ Connector type compatibility. Common standards include CCS, Type 2, NACS (Tesla in North America), and CHAdeMO (being phased out). Check which connectors your car supports and which are available in your area.

Features & Technology

Some EV-specific features make a significant difference in daily life. A heat pump matters in cold climates. Fast charging speed matters for road trips. Regenerative braking changes how you drive. Pay attention to the features that affect your actual use, not just the spec sheet numbers.

• ✓ Regenerative braking. All EVs have this. Check if you can adjust levels (one-pedal driving vs coasting). This reduces brake wear and recovers energy.
• ✓ Heat pump (important for cold climates). Heat pumps use 30-50% less energy than resistive heating. Essential feature if you live in areas with cold winters.
• ✓ Pre-conditioning/remote climate control. Heat or cool the car while plugged in (saves battery). Most EVs offer this via smartphone app.
• ✓ Driver assistance features. Adaptive cruise control, lane keeping, automatic emergency braking. Many EVs include advanced driver assistance as standard.
• ✓ Software update capability. Over-the-air updates add features and improve performance. Check if the manufacturer provides regular updates (Tesla, Polestar do this well).

Costs & Ownership

EVs cost more upfront but less to run. The exact savings depend on your electricity rates, how much you drive, and where you charge. Home charging at typical rates costs about 50-70% less per kilometer than gasoline. Public fast charging narrows that gap but is usually still cheaper than fuel. See the EV charging costs breakdown for real numbers.

• ✓ Purchase price vs budget. EVs typically cost more upfront than equivalent gas cars, but lower running costs offset this.
• ✓ Government incentives/rebates. Many countries offer €2,000-€10,000 purchase incentives. Check local and national programs before buying.
• ✓ Insurance costs. EV insurance can be higher due to expensive battery replacement costs. Get quotes before committing.
• ✓ Maintenance costs (typically lower than gas cars). No oil changes, fewer brake replacements due to regenerative braking. Expect 30-50% lower maintenance costs.
• ✓ Electricity costs vs gasoline savings. Electricity is typically 50-70% cheaper than gasoline per km. Calculate based on your local electricity rates and driving distance.
• ✓ Home charger installation costs. Budget for Level 2 charger installation. Check if government offers installation rebates.

New vs Used Considerations

Used EVs can be excellent value because battery technology has improved dramatically. However, battery health is the one thing you must verify before buying. A battery health report (also called state of health or SOH) tells you the current capacity relative to when the car was new. Most modern EV batteries retain 80-90% capacity after 5-8 years of normal use.

• ✓ Battery health report (for used EVs). Request state of health (SOH) certificate showing current battery capacity. Avoid EVs with less than 80% SOH unless deeply discounted.
• ✓ Remaining warranty. Check battery and drivetrain warranty coverage remaining. This is crucial for used EV purchases as battery replacement is expensive.
• ✓ Software version and update history. Older EVs may not receive latest features via updates. Verify the car can still receive manufacturer software updates.
• ✓ Previous ownership and service records. Confirm regular servicing, no accident history, and proper charging habits (frequent fast charging degrades batteries faster).

Questions to Ask the Dealer

EV salespeople often focus on acceleration and tech features but skip the charging details that matter most in daily life. Bring this list to the dealership. If the salesperson cannot answer these questions, ask to speak with someone who can, or look up the answers in the manufacturer's spec sheet before signing anything.

• ✓ What is the peak DC fast charging speed in kW? "Fast charging" means different things on different cars. Ask for the peak rate and the approximate 10% to 80% charging time. This varies significantly between models.
• ✓ What is the onboard AC charger rating? This determines how fast you charge at home or at public AC chargers. Some cars come with 7 kW, others with 11 kW or 22 kW. A higher rating means faster overnight charging.
• ✓ What battery capacity threshold triggers a warranty claim? Most warranties cover degradation below 70% or 75% of original capacity. Ask the exact number and whether a replacement would be a new or refurbished pack.
• ✓ Does the warranty remain valid with non-dealer servicing? Some manufacturers require dealer servicing for warranty claims. Others allow independent workshops for routine maintenance. Get this in writing.
• ✓ Does this car have a heat pump? A heat pump reduces energy used for cabin heating by 30-50%, which directly affects winter range. On some models it is standard, on others it is an optional extra that is easy to miss.
• ✓ What do over-the-air updates actually cover? Some manufacturers only update the infotainment system. Others can improve battery management, charging speed, and safety features remotely. The difference matters over a 5-10 year ownership period.
• ✓ Which smartphone app features require a paid subscription? Remote pre-conditioning, lock/unlock, and location tracking often require a monthly subscription after an initial free trial period. Ask what is included and what costs extra.
• ✓ Which charging cables are included with the car? Some cars include a portable charger for domestic outlets and a Type 2 cable for public posts. Others include nothing. Buying cables separately can cost several hundred euros.
• ✓ What does the EV-specific maintenance schedule look like? EVs typically need cabin filter replacements, brake fluid checks, and coolant flushes, but no oil changes. Ask for the actual service intervals and estimated costs.
• ✓ Is the 12V battery covered under the main warranty? The small 12V battery powers the car's computers and is the most common cause of "won't start" issues. Some manufacturers treat it as a wear item like tires, not covered by warranty.

Used Electric Car Inspection Checklist

A used EV can be excellent value, but you need to check things a traditional mechanic might miss. Battery health gets the most attention, and rightly so, but there are other EV-specific items that can signal expensive problems. If possible, bring someone with high-voltage vehicle experience to the inspection.

• ✓ Inspect charging port pins. Look inside the charging port for signs of charring, melting, or corrosion on the pins. This indicates a history of poor connections or overheating and can be expensive to repair.
• ✓ Check tire tread and weight rating. EVs are heavier than equivalent gas cars and wear tires faster. Look for uneven wear and verify the tires have an "HL" (High Load) or "EV" marking appropriate for the car's weight.
• ✓ Check the 12V battery age. Find the manufacture date on the 12V auxiliary battery. If it is over 3 years old, budget for a replacement. This small battery is the leading cause of "won't start" issues in used EVs.
• ✓ Inspect the underbody battery casing. Check the protective panel underneath the car for deep gouges, cracks, or signs of impact. Even minor-looking damage to the battery enclosure can lead to serious and costly problems.
• ✓ Check brake discs for rust or pitting. Regenerative braking means the traditional brakes get used less, which sounds good but can cause calipers to seize from lack of use. Excessive rust or pitting on the discs is a warning sign.
• ✓ Check thermal system coolant levels. Look for the dedicated high-voltage battery coolant reservoir and check for leaks or milky residue, which can indicate internal cooling system issues.
• ✓ Run an OBD-II battery health scan. Use a Bluetooth OBD-II dongle and a compatible app to read the actual State of Health (SOH) from the car's computer. This gives you an independent reading beyond what the dashboard shows. Treat the result as an estimate, not an absolute number.
• ✓ Inspect the included charging cable. Fully uncoil the portable charger and check for hot spots, frayed casing, or bent pins on both the car and wall connectors. A damaged cable is a safety hazard.
• ✓ Verify software version and recall status. Check the infotainment settings to confirm the software is up to date and that all battery safety recalls have been completed.
• ✓ Watch for missing EV-specific service history. A service book with "oil change" entries suggests the car was serviced at a shop unfamiliar with EVs. The high-voltage systems may not have been properly inspected.

Test Drive Checklist

An EV test drive feels different from a gas car from the first second. The instant torque, the silence, and the regenerative braking are new sensations. Focus on comfort and usability rather than being impressed by the acceleration. You will live with this car daily.

• ✓ Acceleration and driving feel. EVs accelerate instantly. Test at different speeds and modes (eco vs sport). Ensure you're comfortable with the power delivery.
• ✓ Visibility and cabin space. Check blind spots, rear visibility, and passenger comfort. Many EVs have lower rooflines due to battery packaging.
• ✓ Infotainment system usability. Test climate controls, navigation, and phone connectivity. Some EVs rely heavily on touchscreens which can be distracting while driving.
• ✓ Cargo space with charging cables. Check if trunk/frunk fits your typical cargo plus cables.
• ✓ Noise levels and comfort. EVs are quiet, which can expose wind and tire noise. Turn off the radio at highway speed. Without engine noise, wind whistles and tire roar become much more noticeable and can be a dealbreaker.
• ✓ One-pedal driving usability. Switch between regenerative braking modes during the test drive. Check if you can bring the car to a full stop just by lifting your foot off the accelerator. Some people love this, others find it annoying.
• ✓ Infotainment charger routing. Enter a destination 300+ km away and see if the car automatically plans charging stops, including estimated arrival battery percentage and charger speed. Not all cars do this well.
• ✓ Charging port ergonomics. Physically open and close the charging port door. Think about where it is located (front, side, or rear) and how that works with your home charging setup or the public chargers you would use most.
• ✓ Pre-conditioning demo. Ask the salesperson to show you how to pre-heat or pre-cool the cabin from the phone app while the car is plugged in. This saves range and means stepping into a comfortable car in any weather.
• ✓ Turning circle and low-speed maneuverability. The heavy battery and long wheelbase of many EVs can make them feel less agile than similar-sized gas cars. Try a U-turn or tight parking maneuver.
• ✓ Eco vs Sport mode throttle response. Test the difference between driving modes. Some cars become noticeably sluggish in Eco mode, which can feel unsafe when merging onto a highway.
• ✓ Rear seat height and comfort. The battery pack under the floor can raise the seating position, sometimes creating a "knees-up" posture for rear passengers. Check if this is comfortable for your typical passengers.

After You Buy

The first week with a new EV is a learning curve, mostly around charging. Download 2-3 charging apps before your first public charging session. Set a charge limit to 80% for daily use (you can change this for road trips). Learn where the charge port release is, and practice plugging in at home before you need to do it in the dark at a highway charger.

For step-by-step help with any charging situation you encounter, the EVcourse app covers real-world scenarios with step-by-step solutions. Troubleshooting guides work offline, so you can get help even at a charger with no signal.

Frequently Asked Questions