Tips On Buying Electric Cars

By: Andy Hodges
Staff Writer
Published: Jun 22, 2009

Articles - Electric Cars Offer Better Fuel Economy

We all know that the future of our transportation will probably rely on electric cars. What was once known as an electric vehicle in cartoons, such as the Jetsons, is now becoming a reality in our everyday lives. Consumers who are in the market for a new car should focus on fuel economy.

Fuel economy is a very important factor because of gas prices. What would you do if gas prices soared again like they did in 2008? There is a greater chance that it will happen again.

Most of the electric cars you see on the road today are known as hybrids. These hybrid cars have also coined the term HEV. HEV stands for a Hybrid Electric Vehicle that can use a gasoline engine as a generator while using electric power at slower speeds.

For example, if you buy a new HEV, the automobile will run on electric power when idling at stop lights or when coming to a complete stop sign. This saves gas and will increase your fuel economy. You will spend less at the pump and fewer trips will be needed to refuel your vehicle.

While HEVs are not 100 percent electric, they are a smart decision. If you only need a car to go from home to work, why drive a vehicle that uses gasoline? According to a study conducted by General Motors Corp, about 80 percent of people living in the United States use their cars to commute to work and to run light errands during a particular week.

Here are some tips to help you on buying a new electric car, or HEV, and things to watch out for. First, most hybrid cars are priced under $30,000. For example, the Honda Insight sells for $19,000, the Toyota Prius is priced around $22,000, and the Ford Fusion has a price of $27,000. All of these cars are good choices if you want fuel economy.

However, there is a catch that you need to be aware of. The price will go much higher depending on what options you place in the vehicle. For example, if you don't need a full navigation system to help you with directions, don't include it in your new car.

You can always buy these extra options at a later date. These additional extras will increase the price of the car. Just buy what you need today as it will reduce your monthly payments.

Make sure you review the full-warranty information on the hybrid electric car. Most automakers will cover all hybrid components including the electric motor and batteries for up to eight years. A battery replacement could run you around $3,500, but again, you don't need to replace it every couple of years.

For instance, the Toyota warranty covers the hybrid batter for up to eight years. You should put more money into the warranty and less for gadgets, such as the navigational system, if you want reliability. Also, most of the original cars that are hybrid are still using their original batteries for more than 10 years.

If somebody tells you that there are high maintenance costs involved in electric cars, or hybrid vehicles, don't believe it. These newer cars are built to reduce maintenance while helping our environment. Most of the automobiles do not have any belts under the hood that need replacement.

A word of advice, know what you want before visiting a dealership. Do some research on electric cars. There are some new companies from China that are entering the market, but, unless they have proven reliability, I would stay far away from them.