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.

Comments

Cargo Liner for Tesla Model Y trunk

Because I have to transport stuff for my work, I decided to get a cargo liner for the trunk of my Model Y. It is kind of funny and similar to a phone case - you have this beautiful iPhone (machined and polished metal and glass) and then you cover it with plastic case. But I have to say that the cargo liner is not just protecting the cargo area, but also it makes it so much easier to clean the trunk. You can just remove the cargo liner, fold it up, and then "empty it out". The dirt, sand and other debris just falls out when you shake it a bit. Then you just put it back. You can also vacuum on a flat surface if necessary. How did I decide on the cargo liner? Well, I looked a the Tesla accessory vendors (Tesmanian, Teslarati, EV Base, etc.) and also at Amazon. When comparing I was looking at size, material, 60/40 split and price. I was aiming for a price of less than $100. Amazon had low price offerings, but they seemed a bit flimsy. Other vendors were more expensive. By readi...

Charging Options for my Tesla Model Y

Many people that are not familiar with EVs still consider "range anxiety" as something to worry about when owning an electric vehicle. Of course, there is a bit more planning involved in road-tripping with an EV, but that is not necessarily bad since you have to take breaks anyway. But, let's first discuss the various charing options and how I use them: Home charging: The advantage of an EV is that you can charge it at home (if you have a place to park within 20 feet of electricity) and no need to spend time at gas stations for daily driving. There are three options for charging a Tesla at home using Tesla equipment (there are other home chargers that I don't discuss here) Wall Connector: This connector has to be installed by an electrician, requires 240V/48Amp and delivers up to 44 miles per hour. It costs $475 plus installation. There is a new variant "Universal Wall Connector" that has a connector for non-Teslas. Great if you have different brand EVs. M...

My new Tesla Model Y

Early in August 2023, I finally decided to place an order for a Model Y - from the App. No dealership, no haggling, no waiting, I just configured it and placed an order on the iPhone. A couple weeks later, I got the text - it's ready. I had decided to pick it up in Fremont - where the car is made. And I have to say this car is amazing. It's not only my first new car (my whole life I saved money by buying used cars, mostly Honda's) it is an amazing car. It's beautiful, it is quiet, it is luxurious, it is fast (really fast), it has amazing audio (love Spotify streaming!) and the interior is so sporty/comfortable/simple you just want to sit in there. But most important was that I can charge it almost everywhere (SuperCharger network) and that it has lots of cargo space for my work. Everyday, when I see it in my driveway I still cannot believe that this is my car now. I have been waiting for this for almost 10 years (I will explain in a later post why I waited to buy a Te...

My Tesla Model Y Experience

Search This Blog