Electric cars are slowly but surely starting to pick up traction, especially in China where the market is booming. Currently, in China there are more than a dozen manufacturers that compete with each other to deliver some of the best EVs in the world.
Most importantly, these EVs are really cheap. That’s why they are so attractive to buyers across the world. But there are some things that you need to consider first before you buy one for yourself. So, let’s cover these topics and find out more.
1. Cost
One of the most important aspects that you have to consider before buying an EV from China is the cost of the vehicle.
Chinese cars are cheap but this is in China. These cars have to be shipped across the world to your country and you need to pay the import fees to your government. And this is where the prices add up.
So, this is why you need to consider the cost of the vehicle, plus all these fees that come on top of it. This way you will be sure if this car is in your budget range or not.
2. Range is Important
Another very important aspect when buying an EV from China is the range. Range is something that is a limiting factor. Especially for those who drive a lot.
So, if you are driving every day for a few hundred kilometers, you will need a car with a better range. Usually these are the cars that have a range of 400+ kilometers.
If you drive a lot in the city and only short distances, you can consider a model with shorter range.
3. Charging Options for Electric Cars
Also a very important factor to consider is the charging options that you have. Charging options play a big role because charging infrastructure pretty much limits you.
If you don’t have infrastructure in your country, you will need to charge the car at home and this can take a long time. This is why we wouldn’t advise going for an EV unless you have a couple of fast chargers in your city.
4. The Battery Warranty
The battery warranty is also hugely important. EV batteries are very expensive. They are easily the most expensive component on the electric vehicle.
Replacing them can cost a few thousand dollars easily. That’s why you should consider the battery warranty and get an EV that comes with the longest warranty out there. This way you will be safe if something goes wrong.
5. Battery Life
Battery life also matters. A good EV battery should deliver at least 400 km of range. So, if you drive a lot, we would advise that you go for an EV with the longest battery life.
This way, you will have fewer frustrations and you will enjoy your EV a bit more. Better battery life and more range can cost more but this is understandable.
6. Additional Costs
Considering the additional costs of buying a car from China is also a hugely important thing that you need to do.
There are many additional costs that you need to be aware of. These costs can add to the final value of the vehicle quite significantly.
These costs include the documents and shipping fees, which can add up $1,000 or up to $2,000. Then there are the costs that you need to pay in your country of residence to your authorities. These include the import fees and the registration fees.
7. Check the Charging Capabilities
Checking the charging capabilities of the vehicle is also very important. Any EV can be charged with a wall charger. But fast charging is different.
There are EVs that charge with 88 kW, 150 kW, and up to 480 kW. For example, the AION models that can be charged at these extreme rates for 480 kW.
Although, your charging speeds are mostly limited to what you have in your area. If you have a good infrastructure, you will benefit from very high speeds. If the infrastructure is poor, you will have problems achieving even the factory rated charging speeds.
8. EV Maintenance
One of the things that you need to make sure of is that you are also aware of maintenance when it comes to electric cars.
Although this maintenance is not as high as internal combustion models, there are still some things that you need to be aware of. You still have tires and brakes. So, servicing these components is really important in order to keep your EV in tip-top condition.
You also have a cooling solution that is designed to cool off the battery. Having these fluids checked is also important.
9. Incentives and Tax Benefits
A positive side of electric cars is the incentives and tax benefits. For example, in the US you have a $7,500 incentive for every EV.
This means that the government pays you to drive an EV. This is really nice to have since you will be able to get a huge discount when it comes to buying an EV.
And every country is different in this aspect. This is why you should inform yourself of your local regulators and learn more if your country is one of these places where there are tax benefits and incentives.
10. Charging Station
One of the things you should consider is installing a charging station in your home. Usually every EV comes with a wall connector but this is not enough.
It will take merely a week to charge your battery by doing this method. So, you need to install a proper home charger that will charge your car at a higher rate.
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This will not be a proper fast charger but will get the job done and will give you a decent range while charging overnight. These chargers can cost some money but they are definitely worth the investment if you want to have worry free ownership.
11. Consider Your Access to Chargers
Another thing you want to consider is the access to chargers. Some countries have a really good infrastructure when it comes to fast charging. While some countries do not even have a single fast charger.
So, you need to consider this and the mileage you drive. The more distance you travel, the worse it will get.
Without a proper charging infrastructure, the best chance is to use your EV as a city commuter and nothing else. Without a charging network, you will end up stranded. So, always consider this aspect.
12. Do You Need Extra Space
Considering the space inside of the car is really important. Some people need to accommodate more people comfortably. Some need space for storing things.
And you need to take all these aspects into consideration before buying an EV or any type of vehicle.
The vehicle needs to suit your needs and this is the right car for you. Because if it isn’t suiting your needs, this means that you have a problem and this vehicle simply isn’t the right one for you.
13. Environmental Impact
The environmental impact is also very important when choosing a vehicle. Nowadays you have pure EVs that do not pollute but you also have EREV vehicles.
EREV models are electric cars that are using the internal combustion engine as a power generator. This engine creates electricity and charges up the battery.
And these models have an impact on the environment. They are not completely green and you should be definitely wary about this.
14. Software Updates
Software updates play a huge role when it comes to electric cars. Modern electric cars are the same as smart phones. They are so technology dependent and without proper software updates, using them can be very frustrating.
Bugs can appear and basically ruin the whole experience of owning an EV. So, a company that will offer a long support for updates is recommended because you don’t want to purchase a new EV in 5 years because the old one is not supported anymore.
15. Used Electric Cars
Buying a used electric car is also a good idea. There are many good deals out there that are difficult to miss out on.
But there are some downsides of buying used EVs. And we are talking about battery health. Batteries are known to degrade a lot in the long run.
So, if the EV is 10 years old, you will highly likely be required to change the battery. And this can cost thousands of dollars. That’s why a new EV is always a better option.
16. Should I Buy a Tesla?
This really depends on your personal preference. Tesla is probably one of the best EV manufacturers out there. But they have some quality issues that they keep avoiding fixing. Such as panel gaps and overall poor craftsmanship.
This is why it is a better idea to buy an EV from a company that has a longer legacy in building cars and not have such quality control problems.
17. Should I Buy a BYD?
BYD is probably one of the best Chinese EV manufacturers. They offer a wide range of models from subcompacts to full-size vehicles.
BYD is using very advanced technologies, such as their blade battery. Which is a new design and much more durable compared to competitors.
The build quality of BYD is also pretty good with no major issues with panels and the materials are rather nice. Especially in higher end models like the BYD Han.
So, you should definitely check their models and see if some of them will fit you well.
18. Should I Buy an Electric Car From China?
Yes, you should definitely buy an EV from China. Chinese EVs are really cheap and affordable for anyone’s budget.
There are more than a dozen car manufacturers and each of them has 5 or even more models to choose from.
So, you are not limited to one maker and a few models like in some western countries. This is why we advise that you do your own research and look up for some of the coolest Chinese EVs that you can find.
19. How to Shipping EV From China
Shipping an EV from China is relatively easy. There are RoRo and FCL methods. RoRo is a method where vehicles are rolled on a ship and shipped to their destination.
While FCL is a method that uses containers and in these containers the EVs are stacked. FCL is a bit more expensive since it is a safer way of shipping goods than RoRo.
Conclusion
We covered all the 19 aspects that you need to be aware of when buying a car from China. Make sure that you go through them and learn what are the things that you need to pay most attention to before you order an EV from China.
