What to Expect When Buying an Electric Vehicle

7 minute read

First time EV owner running down the things you can expect with your first electric vehicle.  Yes, I know, most everyone on here is a purist and loves internal combustion engines(ICEs).  However, the tide of progress marches on, and everyone can expect to see more and more of these in the coming years.  I just want to throw down my two cents about EVs as I just bought one, and I felt like there wasn't quite enough summation of all the info floating around out there on the internet.  Here's what I got to say about it: 

Tax rebate:

 A lot of people talk about the tax incentive for buying an EV, but there are some things to keep in mind before you buy.  Just because you hear the words $7,500 off, does not mean you are actually going to see that reflected in the price.  First things first, that $7500 is a tax credit, so if you don’t owe anything on your taxes, you won’t see a dime.  Next up, if the manufacturer of your vehicle has already surpassed the total allowed vehicles for the tax credit, you also won’t reap any tax benefits(or reduced tax credit at best).  It is important to remember this when buying so that you don’t focus too much on the numbers that you think you might get back.

Charging station:

Another thing that comes up a lot when EV’s is the charging station that you set up in your home. There are 3 levels for charging stations.

(Source: https://www.cenhud.com/my-energy/electric-vehicles/how-to-charge/)

Level 1 is the slow trickle charger that is included with your car. It plugs into a normal wall outlet and will take all night(and then some) to charge your vehicles battery.  After that is the level 2 charger. This will likely require an electrician to install since it takes 240V and will charge your car much faster(around 3-4 hours to full charge, depending on battery size).   After that is level 3, which is commercial use only.  These are the rapid charge stations you hear about from Tesla and in the news that will give you an ~80% charge in 20 to 30 minutes depending on battery size.  For most home use, the level 2 is the generally preferred method, despite the initial cost.  However, there can be rebates from the states or electric company to install one, so be sure to do your research before buying. In the long run, it will definitely start to show the benefits of not having a gasoline bill.  Even the electricity cost can be cheaper than normal household costs.  The electric company in my area charges a reduced rate for EV charging at home(around 60% less than normal electricity costs when charging at night).  

Battery:

                    The battery on the Mini is rated for 140 miles for a full charge, and up to 160 with careful driving.  I’m not a cautious, careful driver(I enjoy spirited driving and fast starts), so my mileage is much closer to the 120-130 miles per charge.   I find this adequate for my commute since it’s relatively short and there is a charger at my work.  Your mileage will definitely vary depending on how you drive the car. The battery on the Mini is a 33kWh capacity, which compared to a Tesla model 3(54kWh) is definitely on the smaller side, hence the 140 mile range.  Range anxiety can be a thing if you are the type of person to constantly check the battery charge while driving.  However, there are apps on your phone that can help track where the closest charging stations are, as well as assist planning road trips around the different stations wherever you plan to drive.    

Driving:

Here’s where the fun starts.  The 2021 Mini EV has plenty of power for it’s size, a ton of torque, and is a blast to drive.   Off the bat, it feels very familiar to the Cooper S that I was used to driving prior to this purchase.  Thanks to the torque from the electric motor, it is super easy to ‘mash the gas’ and spin the tires(although, there may be need for a new saying in lieu of ‘mash the gas’).  The motor is a 137KW electric motor that provides 184 hp.  On a small car like the mini, you can feel every bit of it.  One thing that takes a little getting used to is the regenerative braking.  There are 2 levels on the Mini; the first one being the low level, and the second being the more aggressive one.  Any time you lift your foot off the gas pedal, the car will automatically start braking to charge the battery.  On level one, it would be equivalent to a gentle, but continuous press of the brake pedal.  On level two, though, the braking is much more aggressive.  Like, you are very firmly stopping, right this instant.  I find level two a little too much for average driving around the town.  I felt more like I was brake-checking anyone behind me any time I let of the gas.   Even with level one braking, I found that I almost didn’t need to touch the brake pedal anymore.  It’s an adjustment for sure, but not overly awkward to get used to.  

Maintenance:

                    Not much really to say here.  Just rotate your tires like usual and change out your windshield wipers when needed.  Brake pads and rotors at usual intervals as well. Oil changes no longer required(one of the other benefits besides no gasoline). EV batteries recommended to be serviced only by the dealer…and on that note, I would second that.  I have worked with battery manufacturers for vehicles and the danger of electric shock is no joke.  Please folks, do not mess with the battery.  Just leave it alone and let the warranty on it do its thing.  Speaking of which, the warranty on the battery is actually pretty good for Mini at 8 years, 100,000 miles.  

Summary:

                    For a first time EV owner, there is a lot to wrap your head around that you don’t usually have to think about with a normal ICE engine.  Between batteries, charging, tax credits, and range anxiety, it can be a bit daunting to pull the trigger on buying an electric vehicle.  Reduced carbon footprint, no gas bill, no oil changes needed, reduced electric costs, and low maintenance definitely make it a contender when car shopping these days.  In my opinion the benefits definitely out-weigh the negatives and the future definitely promises to show more and more of these vehicles on the road in the coming years.   Just be sure to do your research, and I think you may be taking a second look at the different EV options on the market today.

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