Things to consider when buying an Electric Car - Team-BHP
Things to consider when buying an Electric Car - Team-BHP
Join Date: Jun Location: bangalore Posts: 291 Thanked: 399 Times Things to consider when buying an Electric Car I have been doing reading/experimenting/thinking and living EVs for sometime now and I thought I will pen down my understanding that could help others if they are in the market or deciding where to start if in confusion about EVs.
Below are my notes, please point out if something is a miss or totally out of place and I will try and correct it. Here we go.
EV purchase and test drive considerations (Evolving content).
Apart from the usual car test drives one does, EVs would need special attention since there is a whole lot of things that are taken for granted in the Internal Combustion Engine(ICE) vehicles .
Whether EV works for you if you choose today?
- Majority usage 80-90+% in the City? What is the distance covered per day (to and fro) 100km max? OR this is a second car for runabouts.
- 10-20% highway usage in the range of 200km one or two way per day? (Popular weekend destinations have fast chargers en-route and most hotels and resorts accommodate charging requests at their premises.
- Charging possible at work(if used for commuting) or home?
I think if all the above points are applicable and works then mostly 99% you are an EV ready candidate. However, don’t buy a high range EV with extra high battery capacity, especially if you are a personal user unless you really intend to use it. 99% of the cases do not utilize the extra range and capacity of long range EVs. Real world 200-350km ranged EV is usable even today by using the ever expanding fast charging network. Fleet owners who run business on EV can’t afford to wait for their vehicle to be charged during the business hours, hence they either need a 10-15 minute fast charging ones or the long ranged ones good for a day. They also earn money from the consumers/businesses they serve and it works out for them but not for personal users.
Test Drives:
First and foremost : Somehow get over this surreal feeling that EVs provide, that quiet and silent drive in the first 10-15 minutes so that you can come down to earth and focus on the real EV aspects that matter in a day to day running. I know what it feels like and it is better than flying, because that’s what it is, they are silent by nature!! It is not like a Merc, Toyota or a Honda where they had to go to great lengths to perfect the noise isolation in the cabin despite the car being a noisy Diesel. Here the manufacturer has to screw up real bad to make an EV produce noise(of course other than the artificially added ones) or put a bad motor or drivetrain.
EV is all about instant torque, hence there is a big difference in the way you drive them as well, lose your throttle flooring habits as that is not needed to generate the torque here. Instead a smooth and needed amount of throttle will do the job and throttle(ironic name) itself is tightly linked to the driving modes that car has. Majority of the City driving, stop and go requires this kind of driving, so better get used to it. And most of the time an EV is already quicker than most of the ICE vehicles in the City due to the instant torque available at all rpm ranges of the motor. If you really want to see the power, activate sports mode and test for a few hundred meters. This is why we don't compare the motor power directly with the ICE engine. I feel my 30-40bhp equivalent Verito is 100% enough for City conditions, now add another 20-30 bhp and that’s the max u need for highways for all practical purposes and anything more you are actually bathing in luxury of power and money since battery is drained faster :-D
Single pedal driving or using the regen to your advantage can only be done once u have enough experience, so don’t bother about it, during test drive.
Before beginning the test drive note down the SoC (State of Charge of the battery in %) and note down the Odo.
EVs are as sensitive to load and additional power draw from AC and people in the car as ICE vehicles, But EVs stated range on the dash is in the hands of the AI/software that is predicting how long the battery will last in the current load and driving conditions, so better have some company to test out the real world performance is satisfying for you or not. Have people in the car and AC on.
For the first few kms at least drive regularly and check out how the EV is able to tackle the ramps, speed breakers(The battery sits low, so the ground clearance with load is a factor that you should consider). Take it to some known uphill roads and parking lot ramps and see if it is able to get in and out of the ramps.
Find a free stretch of the road such as some expressway or a private toll road like NICE in Bangalore nearby, so that you can test the high speed performance, according to me with today’s charging Infra if the car can cruise on highways at 90-100 and able to pass other vehicles at 120, you have a powerful and capable EV. Very soon you will also realize that these are not the best range producing speeds, so 90-100 is what your car will mostly travel on highways. Believe me you will do the same in your petrol or diesel car if the next bunk is 100km apart :-)
You can also experiment with regen here (which is impossible in an ICE vehicle).
Some vehicles activate the regen based on external settings and some as soon as you lift the throttle and some when you brake and some in combination, so it is completely vehicle dependent.
With this combined driving cycle and once you return to the showroom/place of return note down the SoC and Odo again, now using the start and end SoC and Odo difference we will be able to derive an approx range in real world(real measure is expressed in Wh/km). This in the real world once you own an EV can be even better or completely worse depending on the terrain. So, this calculation will only serve you to make a decision on whether or not the range works out for your intended usage.
Mine the details about the EV you have shortlisted.
EVs are filled with electronics, so some details of what to look for from the manufacturer is key.
EVs have two critical components and they are obviously “Motor” and “Battery” and expensive in terms of cost and hence these should be having the longest warranty terms. Like for example, BYD(5L kms/8 year), Tata and MG do (1.6L kms/ 8 years). Now there are other components like Contactor, BMS, Energy Management System, Charging sockets, Charger, Battery Cooling mechanisms, fans etc.
Also, most EVs evolve constantly via OTA updates, this is because even the manufacturers are learning from the R&D and their customer base and updating how their vehicles function and handle in real world conditions. So, it is important to know if the car has the OTA capability and the manufacturer is an active one in keeping the vehicle up-to-date (For example:- Mahindra might not be doing anything after the initial release, whereas Ather(2W), MG and Tata constantly push updates with improvements to throttle and charging software).
Looking at what all can go wrong, the warranty is good to have to cover for unwanted expenditures.
Vehicle warranty
Look for something that provides at least 5 years and see if the manufacturer allows you to extend it. EVs have far fewer components compared to ICE, but depending on the supply chain and testing the parts mileage could vary. Also, if you are one of those who constantly use fast chargers then it is like driving an ICE vehicle at 150 day in and out, fast chargers put immense current into the charging system and exercise life of charging circuit cables and most importantly battery. Unless it is a BYD I don’t recommend fast charging and if you are on highway travel then fine and that too plan to charge only to 80% or better only to what is needed to reach the next stop or destination where AC slow charging is available and planned (More on this later).
Drivetrain and Powertrain Warranty
Pick the maximum, today MG and Tata have set the standard and BYD(for fleet) has the max.
Understand the IP(Ingress Protection) rating of your vehicle
It is important to have IP-67 rating for the battery, motor and power electronics, Indian conditions can change from extremely dry to wet in a matter of months, your EV provider needs to make sure all this testing is done and the vehicle is capable of handling our waterlogged conditions and rains.
Understand your battery chemistry.
- Might not be super important in the later years as battery evolution continues and stabilizes, we will settle for something that is cheap to manufacture and long lasting and sustainable, but the knowhow is really needed now.
- NMC and LFP batteries are two popular chemistries and they have their own advantages and disadvantages. LFP usually is of lower energy density than NMC batteries but with BYD cells they are able to provide same/almost same range as NMC ones since they reduced the battery protection casing material by re-architecting the cells and made it a lot safer than the NMC cells currently in use. 20% of the NMC battery pack weight must be going for its protection!!
- Also LFP doesn’t use Cobalt which is not sourced in the most ethical manner today.
Charging options
This is an EV deal breaker for many.
Understand what is the DC charging type for your vehicle, the most popular one worldwide is CCS-2(Combined Charging System) now and in India too this is the popular choice.
Many old EVs(my Verito) have DC001 or GB/T connector which is a Chinese standard.
Understand what are the AC charging options (there is a regular 15A charge option(3.3 KW max) and a 7KW 32A single phase special connection and some really high end ones demand a 3 phase 22KW AC charger so that their 70+kwh batteries can juice up overnight), bigger the battery more time is needed to charge unless one can setup a fast AC charger at home. I suggest settling on the 15A charge type if the time available between charges is good enough, as it is safer for the battery life and we as owners will adjust to what is available anywhere and everywhere. We haven’t completely mastered the way to fast charge without affecting or heating up the battery today, hopefully the XFC tech and solid state battery comes and changes this.
Many manufacturers provide both Wall mount (higher capacity AC charger) and portable chargers that function based on a 15A socket. One needs to make sure he/she is aware while purchasing.
Connected vehicle software.
Ultra important, these connected vehicle features are a vanity in ICE but in an EV, it can really transform the experience. Things like knowing the SoC and scheduling the charge, and setting the charge limits, vacation mode to keep the battery healthy on those times when you are away from home.
It is also important in case of NMC batteries not to keep 100% SoC if not using the car, it is better to plan to bring the car to 80% charge and wait and charge it just few hours before the use to bring it to 100%
Another inevitable but important feature is TPMS(Tire Pressure Monitoring System):
If the vehicle has it then good, otherwise add 4-5K for an external system to be installed.
EV range can drastically reduce if the tire pressure is low and get you stranded in the middle of nowhere.
Insurance addendums
It is better to protect your vehicle charger under insurance if allowed(Electrical Accessory). Useful especially if the warranty terms don’t cover it. Many chargers tend to be expensive and the Indian grid can cause havoc on electronics at times.
Final consideration:
EVs consume a lot of current(in Amperes) for the charging hence don’t cheap out on sockets and cables if used for outside travel. Let the EV provider come home and assess your electrical situation and install the home charger. If you are preparing an extension cable roll for travels, do so with the highest thickness needed to handle the max current, for example my Verito needs a 4sq mm 3 core cable for lengths up to 25m. In the name of EV fix all those faulty electrical sockets, grounding and false phase and neutral wiring at home please. Don’t buy any Cona products, whereas GM, Havells and Anchor seem to hold the stated currents and have offered better experience by not burning out IMHO. If preparing an extension cable, have an MCB attached next to the charge socket as a switch to prevent vehicle from unintended short circuit and other mishaps.
Hybrid/EV Buying Guide - Cars - Consumer Reports
Find an Efficient Vehicle That’s Right for You
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit XDAO.
We want to know how long you can go between charges on a road trip, so we measure the range of every EV we test at highway speeds. We set the cruise control to 70 mph and record how many miles we can go until the battery is empty.
On our vehicle model pages, we show how long it takes to charge the battery at a variety of chargers, from high-speed to slower and more common chargers. We score a car based on how quickly you add miles to its range and measure how long it takes to charge a PHEV with the included wall charger.
Is the charging port easy to access? Can you quickly tell how much range is left and how long it will take to charge? Does the navigation system help you find nearby charging stations? These are just some of the questions we ask when evaluating an EV or a PHEV.
Many EVs and some PHEVs allow you to speed up or slow down by using only the accelerator pedal. We evaluate how easy it is to adjust this feature, and how smoothly drivers can slow down and stop.
EVs have one of three kinds of plugs. Tesla uses NACS (North American Charging Standard) for both Level 2 and DC fast charging. Many other automakers plan to use this kind of plug on newer vehicles. For DC fast charging, most non-Tesla EVs made before have an SAE/CCS combo plug. With a converter, CCS (Combined Charging Standard) can be used by Tesla models, and some Tesla chargers can be used by CCS cars. The Nissan Leaf uses CHAdeMO, which isn’t used by any other new EV sold in the U.S. and is not compatible with other plugs.
Because they have smaller batteries, PHEVs take less time to charge at a Level 2 outlet than a pure EV. Many PHEVs can also be charged overnight at regular household 120V outlets using a mobile charging cable that comes with the car. Most PHEVs cannot be charged at DC fast chargers.
You’ll need a professional electrician to install a Level 2 charger. Expect to pay about $500 to $1,200 for the work, plus $500 to $700 for the wall-mounted charging unit. A wiring upgrade may be needed in older homes and could cost thousands more. There are federal, state, and local incentives that can significantly reduce the cost of installing a charger at home. Some automakers and power companies also offer discounts.
Learn how to find the best home charger for your electric vehicle.
Most EV charging takes place at home. If you’re taking a longer trip, however, you’ll benefit from one of the 32,000 public DC fast-charging stations across the country. Many of these are designed for Tesla vehicles. More DC fast chargers are being built, and most are available near major highways. PHEVs can just go to a gas station when on a trip.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of dual power control system for electric vehicles. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
Because public charging stations aren’t as common (or as reliable) as gas stations, apps such as A Better Route Planner are necessary to help you find a working charger on your route and let you know how busy it is. Once you’re there, apps associated with the charging provider, such as Electrify America or EVGo, allow you to activate the charger and pay for the electricity you use.
Tesla owners have access to a network of Tesla Supercharger DC fast-charging stations, and we have found that they make topping up a Tesla seamless, convenient, and relatively quick. Owners of other EVs rely on a patchwork of chargers that aren’t always convenient to access and may not be in working order. Tesla has begun allowing other EVs to charge at some of its Superchargers and says it plans to open more.
See which EVs can charge at a Tesla Supercharger.
According to our car reliability survey, the reliability of hybrids as a whole is similar to gas-only vehicles. Many hybrids are no-nonsense vehicles from brands that shine in our reliability surveys regardless of what type of car they’re making. Learn more about PHEV and EV reliability.
Plug-in hybrids effectively combine two powertrains under one hood and tend to be less reliable than gas-only cars on average, but many of the least dependable PHEVs are from brands that struggle with reliability in general. By contrast, auto manufacturers that usually make reliable vehicles also tend to make trustworthy PHEVs.
On average, electric vehicle owners continue to report far more problems with their vehicles than owners of gas-only cars or hybrids. The majority of issues with EVs represent growing pains from all-new vehicle designs loaded with all the latest technologies, some of which come from manufacturers that are new to building cars.
Every year we ask our members about problems they’ve had with their vehicles in the previous 12 months. This year, we gathered data on over 330,000 vehicles, looking at 20 trouble areas, from nuisances—such as broken interior trim—to major issues, such as engine, transmission, EV battery, and EV charging problems. (Learn more about car reliability.)
Some new and used EVs and PHEVs qualify for federal tax credits of up to $7,500. But how much you’ll save depends on whether you buy or lease, where a car was made, how much the car costs, and how much you earn. Our guide helps break down your savings.
If you’re planning on taking road trips or want to go long distances between charges, these are the vehicles that can get between 250 and more than 400 miles on a single charge.
There are many reasons why EV ranges drop in cold conditions. In our winter testing, we found that cold weather saps about 25 percent of range when cruising at 70 mph compared with driving in the same conditions during mild weather in the mid-60s.
There are more and more electric cars on the market every year. Some come from legacy automakers, others from new startups. We take a look at new models that will be available in the near future.
Want more information on electric winger? Feel free to contact us.
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