Electric Vehicles (EVs) are not an alien concept especially now in 2022! When it comes to adopting electric cars in India, Indians are not very far from the West. But, due to the geography of India, potential buyers of electric vehicles will face certain challenges.
Well, it does not end there! India is a nation where people are using various modes of transportation that are based on internal combustion engines. From the country’s backbones trucking industry working on diesel IC engines to last-mile delivery 4-stroke IC engine 2-wheelers; India’s majority of transportation works with fossil fuel.
Some of the famous vehicle manufacturers of India have also always tried to give various body types, engine options, features, and safety as per the requirements of the Indian market. From lightweight cars to 5-star safety rating vehicles, the Indian audience gets a host of choices to buy a vehicle according to their needs.
Let’s talk about the top 5 things Indian buyers should know before buying an electric vehicle in India.
Understand the purpose
Everyone has already seen the argument that EVs are the future. Electric cars are cheaper to run, they do not produce fumes and exhaust gases on our roads, and many more interesting thoughts. But, for users, green energy and using clean cars is secondary – going from point A to B with maximum comfort and efficiency takes priority.
For Electric Car’s potential users, a purpose has to be defined. If you are going to buy an EV, you would need to consider these things:
- Your budget (including Government subsidies)
- Body types (hatchback, sedan, SUV, or crossover)
- Engine and Transmission (single motor/dual motor with FWD or AWD)
- Driving range
- Charging infrastructure around your location
- Battery life
- Maintenance costs and Software updates (from the company)
Now, as an Electric car buyer in India, you will need to match your requirements with the available EVs in the Indian market. Currently, Tata, MG, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and even other manufacturers have come up with their products in India that offer an overall good range, safety equipment, and needed features to make your journeys comfortable. But, all of them will not satisfy everyone’s needs and wants. On top of that, the company that offers the best charging infrastructure around your location, availability of the parts and maintenance service, and other factors also matter.
So, note down all your points before finalizing the right Electric Car for you!
Total Cost of Ownership for an EV
Selecting your favorite car is not it, you will need to figure out which car works for you economically as well. The total cost of ownership (TCO) is defined by the amount you pay to buy the car plus maintain and operate it. In this case, it would be your down payments, service costs, charging costs, software updates, insurance, and everything in between.
Now, as the Indian government is giving various subsidies and taking a lot of new initiatives to help increase the sales of EVs in India, buyers can opt for such green schemes and take the initial costs down significantly! Not only that, many electric cars charge slowly when you attach them to your home AC power plugs. Thus, you might consider getting a DC charging set up at your home or apartment, which will also cost you some money.
As of now, many car companies in India provide a limited warranty of up to 10 years on their batteries. This means in ideal conditions, you will not get the battery charged in your vehicle while ownership – but if you have to do that, you should keep that charge in mind. Maintenance costs would not include oil changes and filter changes; but, they will include changing brake pads, 12V accessories battery, tires, and other regular stuff.
Most of the costs will be covered by the fuel costs that you will save by charging your vehicle at a cheaper price compared to petrol or diesel. But, due diligence should help you here making your final decision.
Range Anxiety and Fueling up
India is scaling up its charging infrastructure really quickly. And, players of all scales and abilities are working towards making this infrastructure even stronger!
However, most of the potential buyers will think that it’s not as easy as fuelling up on the trip, and what if they cannot find any charging spots in between? Some startups are letting people become hosts for providing charging stations at their roadside restaurants and commercial properties as well.
Check with your preferred car manufacturer which kind of AC and DC fast charging networks it supports and if they have their own charging network or not. Then go ahead with your final decision of purchase.
The Learning Curve
Many do not discuss one of the most important things about driving an electric car. Unlike internal combustion engine cars or hybrid cars, electric vehicles also have regeneration power options with them. That means you will need some learning to get used to the one-paddle drive and the acceleration-acceleration effect with it.
Low to no noise from the engine inside the engine will not help you a lot in understanding the speeds. Many drivers might take some time before getting used to it. Thus, adjusting to a new type of electric car vehicle might take some time, but it will surely be rewarding.
New Possibilities with the Platforms & Architectures
A lot of electric cars that have been launched to date have a lot of styling and platform capabilities. From swapping electric motors in common IC engine cars to creating a new EV platform from scratch – electric cars are showing many flexible options.
And this trend will continue to give some unique vehicles in the future as well. More and more countries have started adopting EVs and hybrid vehicles. Thus, new platforms, capabilities, and architecture will continue to evolve in safety, comfort, and features.
So, what are your thoughts about buying your next electric car in India? And, which car are you planning to buy next? Do let us know in the comments below.
