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What questions to ask before buying a Tesla or any EV?

Obviously I am a bit biased towards Tesla, but I think buying any EV is a good investment (as far as a car purchase can be considered an investment). Teslas or EVs have way lower maintenance costs in the long-term, lower cost per mile (electricity versus gas), they support sustainable transportation, reduce emissions and are way more fun to drive. So, here are a few questions that might help finding the right EV.

  • Range: The myth #1 of EV is that they have a short range causing unnecessary anxiety for future owners. So, you need to ask yourself what kind of driving you do (daily commute and longer road trips) and what range you really need. Most EVs are now between 200 and 400 miles of range.
  • Charging: Based on your answer regarding type of driving you do, you need to figure out how you plan to charge your car.
    • Home: This is the easiest and most convenient charging, if you have a place to park your car and have electricity close by. There is level 1 (120V) normal outlet and level 2 (240V) washer/dryer outlet or wall charger available. Again, the decision is driven on your specific situation, electric panel, etc. 
    • Work: If you can charge at work, that could replace home charging if for example you live in an apartment and don't have a space to charge.
    • Road trip: This causes most non-EV the most anxiety. What if I can't find a charger? Well, there are plenty of chargers on major freeways and other places. However, most charger providers are not very reliable. Based on serval studies, there is basically only the Tesla Supercharger Network that is widespread and highly reliable (99.5%). So, if that is important this might be (still) a reason to get a Tesla. However, the charger network will be open to other EVs (GM, Ford, Volvo, Honda, Rivian, etc.) in 2024/2025. 
  • Price: Most EVs are still a bit more expensive when purchased, however, you should consider the following long-term costs when comparing with traditional gas cars.
    • Maintenance costs (oil, brakes, etc. )
    • Cost per mile (gas vs electricity)
    • Resell value in 6 years (gas cars will depreciate a lot more in the next years)
  • Future: Since EVs are new and rapidly evolve further, you should consider picking a brand and model that will be around, is based on leading technology and has proven that they can deliver lots of cars that are reliable and safe. Did I say Tesla? Joking aside, the current state in the automotive industry indicates that traditional automakers (GM, Ford, VW, etc) are behind and Tesla (and maybe Rivian) leads the way, and are many years ahead. Frankly, that is the reason why I chose Tesla. It seems at this moment in time the best value now and in the near future. 
If you end up deciding on a Tesla, make sure to use a Tesla Referral promotion that gives you $250 off. Ask a friend if they have a link or you can use my Tesla Referral link.

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