Buying a used electric car can be a reliable and economical investment, particularly due to the reliability of the electric motor and lower maintenance costs.
Buying a used electric car can raise questions about its reliability and maintenance costs. Yet for many industry experts, buying a used electric car can be a reliable and economical option. This is particularly the case of Hervé Maillein, general manager of a company specializing in the sale of electric and hybrid vehicles in Belgium. According to him, this market has undergone significant evolution over the years, now offering extended warranties on electric vehicles.
Advantages
One of the main advantages of used electric cars is the reliability of their engines. Indeed, Hervé Maillein emphasizes that an electric vehicle has many fewer rolling parts that work compared to a thermal vehicle. “You don’t have oil, you don’t have spark plugs, you don’t have exhaust, you don’t have filter, all that stuff. And so, what makes reliability on an electric motor really very simple. And so, it is increased.” Additionally, battery warranties offered by manufacturers provide peace of mind to potential buyers, with warranties spanning 8 years or 100,000 miles.
However, Hervé Maillein emphasizes the importance of paying attention to the battery warranty when purchasing a used electric vehicle. He recommends that potential buyers request a battery test to ensure its condition. As for the cost of maintenance, he argues that this is considerably reduced on electric cars compared to thermal cars, with notable savings on taxes, insurance and fuel. “The cost of maintenance has really been reduced to its simplest expression because on the engine, precisely, we have no spark plugs to change, we have no filter, we have no oil, we has nothing to do. Maintenance is therefore significantly cheaper than on a thermal car.“, he explains.
Thermal or electric car?
For those who are hesitating between purchasing an electric car and a thermal car, Hervé Maillein recommends calculating the total cost of use, taking into account maintenance, taxes, insurance and fuel. Additionally, it highlights the increasingly universal nature of plugs for electric vehicles, providing widespread compatibility. Finally, although specialists in electric vehicles are starting to multiply in Belgium, he emphasizes that specific expertise in this area still remains relatively rare.
In short, buying a used electric car can have undeniable advantages in terms of reliability, maintenance costs and ease of use. However, it is essential for potential buyers to pay attention to the battery warranty and carefully evaluate their use and specific needs before making a choice.
Electric cars
