The invention of the electric car has been with us for quite a long time, but since the last few years, battery technology has finally improved and EVs can go longer distances between charges.
But in spite of these advancements in batteries, the range of these vehicles is still limited to less than 100 miles before the need to be charged again; which often means an overnight session. But used EVs may be a good idea if you are looking for a cheap, reliable second car.
One reason why a used electric car may be a good idea for a second vehicle is due to the fact that they can heavily depreciate over several years. At the moment, a used 2013 Nissan Leaf is worth $14,900. But by next year it will cost only $7650--a depreciation factor of almost 50%.
Why the Big Depreciation?The main thing that works against pure electric vehicles is their very limited range. People who want to make a moderately long drive away from home have to constantly calculate the total round trip mileage or be faced with a dead battery and a very expensive tow home.
As a result of this, some of these cars depreciate more than average due to supply and demand; which means there are more of these used cars available than people want.
Why They May Be Good Second CarsAn electric car, is for the most part, pretty reliable. Because there is no combustion engine, there is virtually no maintenance to do such as oil changes, radiator fluid changes, spark plug replacements, filter changes, etc.
So for a reliable, low-maintenance car, an EV may be the perfect pick for a family that needs a good second car to drive around for short trips to the supermarket, picking up the kids, or just running errands around town.
With the big depreciation factor of these cars, it’s possible to pick up one next year at a very good price.
The DownsideThe biggest worry in owning an electric vehicle is distance anxiety. Owners must always be aware of how far their driving distances are, and this may be a deal breaker for some. But according to a survey of almost 300,000 vehicles, regarding the average distance per trip per car,
Solarenergyusa.com says 95% of the trips drivers take are less than 30 miles.
The 2013 Nissan Leaf, for example, has a range of about 70 miles, so buying one will be well within this distance envelope.
Should You?If you like the idea of owning a high-tech car, and plan to use an electric vehicle strictly for distances no longer than 70 miles, and you are attracted to getting one for less than ten grand, you may be be a candidate for a used electric vehicle.
Source:
Yahoo Autos