Buying an electric car: what do you need to know?

Buying an electric car: what do you need to know?assurances Assurances Ride peace of mind with the right car insurance All our articles on the car Buying an electric car: what do you need to know?
5 questions about buying an electric car

More and more motorists are buying an electric car. Prices are falling, range is increasing and there are more and more models on the market. Are you hesitating? We answer some important questions for you.

1. What about the range of an electric car?

Better to choose an electric car that has at least 300 km of range. This is no longer a problem today. On the market, many models even have a range of over 400 km. You can also adapt your driving style to save your battery.
2. What about the battery of an electric car?

Nowadays, a new electric car battery lasts an average of 8 years. Models dating from before 2015 have a considerably shorter lifespan. Something to consider if you are buying a used electric car! Read our other tips for choosing the right used car.

3. How to charge an electric car?

When you buy an electric car, a charging cable is provided. There are various possibilities available to you:

a classic outlet (slower than a charging station)
a charging station installed at home or in your business
one of the 5,000 public charging stations in Belgium
Most new electric cars have a fast charging feature. Otherwise, long distances would be problematic. This function allows you to cover an additional 200 km in 30 minutes of charging. Note, however, that fast charging is not possible on older models.

4. How much does an electric car cost?

An electric car is more expensive than a gasoline or diesel model. You pay around 10,000 euros more on the purchase. Even considering the total lifespan, an electric car is no more advantageous than a traditional car. According to a study by several European consumer associations, this should change from 2025 and even from 2022 for smaller models. Electric mobility should therefore be always more advantageous thanks to the low costs of use and maintenance.

5. What about an electric car vacation?

Buying an electric car does not mean that you can no longer go on vacation by car. The network of charging stations has grown significantly in Europe. There are more than 200,000, including 20,000 fast charging stations. However, it is important to check in advance where to find terminals on your route and at your destination. In southern Europe, for example, it is in Italy and Spain that you will find it the most. Also check in advance which pass or subscription you need to be able to charge your car. Fortunately, there are different apps to help you out, like ChargePoint or PlugShare. Last tip: look for a hotel with charging stations.