Ways to Test Drive an EV Before Buying One

When futurists H.G. Wells (1901) and other fictional writers envisioned flying cars as a possible transportation solution for the future, they thought so because they believed that it would help reduce traffic congestion and preserve our environment. Now fast forward to 2023; not only do we have flying cars, but we have also produced electric vehicles as another means of transporting ourselves whilst preserving our earth’s ecosystem.

Just as the name implies, Electric vehicles (EVs) typically use electricity to power the motor, which reduces emissions and dependence on fossil fuels. Thanks to our advancements in science and technology over the last few years, Electric vehicles (EVs) are starting to dominate the automobile world. Not only because they are considered an eco-friendly alternative to gasoline-powered cars but also because of how affordable, reliable, and efficient they are.

However, before you buy any electric vehicle, it is important that you first of all test drive it to check if it meets your needs and preferences. And so, in this article, we are going to show you various ways in which you can test drive an electric car before you buy one.

Benefits of Owning an Electric Vehicle

Now that you know what electric vehicles are and how they function, we will discuss some of the benefits of owning an electric car in this time and age.

1. It is environmentally friendly as it helps to reduce carbon emissions. Since electric vehicles don’t run on gasoline, carbon emissions will greatly reduce, and the earth’s ozone layer will stop getting damaged.
2. Lower operating costs: Since electric vehicles run on electricity, you won’t need to spend an exorbitant amount on gasoline and the like.
3. Higher efficiency: Electric vehicles generally convert about 59-62% of the electrical energy from the grid to power at the wheels, while traditional gasoline cars, on the other hand, only convert about 17-21% of the energy stored in gasoline to power at the wheels.
4. Quieter operation: Electric vehicles are much quieter than gasoline-powered vehicles, which can improve the quality of life in urban areas.
5. Government incentives: You may not know this; in some countries, the government can actually reward you for purchasing an electric vehicle. Funny right? Yes, we think that too.

10 Ways to Test Drive an EV Before Buying One

Planning on buying an EV for the first time, and you want to get a feel before committing to the deal? Then this section is just for you because we will show you 10 ways you can test drive an EV before buying one.

1. Visit a car dealership: As we said earlier, EVs are becoming increasingly popular now. Hence many car dealers now sell electric vehicles alongside gasoline vehicles. If you plan on buying an EV for the first time, it’s always advisable to visit any EV dealership because they often have test-driven models.
2. Take a test drive at a car show: Another great way to test drive an EV is to go to a car show. Many of the car shows out there often feature electric vehicles, and often at times; they allow attendees to test drive them.
3. Rent an EV: Renting an EV is probably the easiest, fastest way to test drive it. When you go to the internet, you will find numerous car rental companies offering to rent electric vehicles. They will most likely charge you in hours, so you have to be very quick with it, or you risk paying more.
4. Try an electric vehicle loan program: Although this does not happen everywhere, some car manufacturers and dealers usually offer EV loan programs, where you can borrow an EV for a short time to test drive it before you buy it.
5. Test drive an EV at a charging station: If you’ll remember, we said previously that, unlike traditional vehicles that run on gasoline, EVs run on electricity. But one thing we didn’t say is that it’s not electricity alone; there are other equipment you will need before it works. Since not everyone can get the needed equipment, charging stations exist. Therefore if you are trying to buy an EV for the first time, you can visit an EV charging station to test drive one.
6. Attend an EV event: Aside from general car shows, many cities and organizations often host events to promote electric vehicles, including test drive opportunities.
7. Test drive a friend’s or family member’s EV: If you know someone who owns an EV, you can politely ask them if you can test drive it.
8. Test drive an EV as part of a car-sharing program: In some countries, car-sharing programs are a thing. This program usually makes electric vehicles available for members to use. Therefore, if you happen to live where it is a thing, you can do well to register for such a program.
9. Through a ride-sharing service: Some ride-sharing services, such as Uber and Lyft, now have electric vehicles available for riders to request. All you have to do is request one and perform a test drive.
10. Test drive an electric vehicle on a track day: Some track day events include electric vehicles for attendees to test drive.

Conclusion

Test driving an electric vehicle is an important step in deciding whether or not to purchase one. The purpose of doing this is to check if it meets your needs and preferences. If you’re considering buying an EV but want to take it for a spin first, here are a few ways to do that.

And if you’re ready to make the switch, contact us at CNA Electric Ltd for your EV charging station installation.