What about the condition of the battery in a used electric car?

The second-hand range of electric cars is getting wider and more interesting. Especially the models from 2010 are now available as used cars. While maintenance can be a concern when buying a second-hand diesel or petrol car, the situation is different when buying an electric car.

The main advantage of an electric car is that it requires much less maintenance than a car that runs on fossil fuels. But what about the condition of the battery – the most important part of the entire electric car – if you want to buy the EV second-hand? You can read the answer in this blog.

Determining the condition of the battery

The engine of an electric car has fewer moving parts. For example, there are no filters, no spark plugs and no oil is used as fuel. The fewer of these moving parts there are, the less chance of wear and tear. The battery ultimately determines how many kilometers you can drive. This is also called action radius. A battery does not last forever. How long then? Worldwide, research is being conducted into the lifespan and capacity loss of batteries.

Unfortunately, there is no unequivocal answer to this question yet. This is because the lifespan of a battery depends on several factors. Batteries that are not always charged to the full 100% and are not driven up to 0%, for example, last longer. The differences between manufacturers also seem to play a major role in battery life.

Although it is not yet possible to give a definitive answer about the actual lifespan of a battery, user experiences show that electric cars of five years and older still have a battery capacity of 80 and 97% of the original capacity. The majority of these electric cars are still above 90%.

Tips to check the battery capacity

When you want to buy a used electric car, it is important to take a long test drive. During this test drive you can keep track of the distance driven using the mileage in combination with the reduced range. This way you can see what the degradation of the battery is.

Are you having trouble determining battery degradation? We understand that it is difficult to check the capacity of your battery when you are looking for a used electric car. To help you on your way, you can read the most important tips here when checking the battery of an electric car offered as a second-hand car.

Devices that can read the battery

Measuring is knowing! The best way to determine the capacity of your battery is to have it checked at brand dealers or some car dealers. The quality of the battery of the second-hand electric car can be measured with special devices. Please note that reading the battery properly can sometimes take up to 12 hours.

Find out if the battery is still under warranty

Manufacturers have made an agreement among themselves to provide a warranty on the battery for a period of 8 years or until the 160 thousand kilometers have been reached on the odometer. Which rule applies to you depends on which is achieved first. The warranty rules may differ per brand and type of electric car. If you buy a used electric car, it is important to determine whether and for how long the battery still has a warranty.

Check charging time at a fast charge point

When the fast charging time is at least 2 times more than the original charging time of a battery, this can be a point of attention. On the website ev-database.nl you can determine what the fast charging time was when the electric car was in its new condition. Some manufacturers also state the charging time in the user manual. While checking the fast charge time isn’t the most accurate way to determine the condition of your battery, it can help determine defects.

Choosing a used electric car with a good battery

Do you need help choosing an electric occasion, with a battery that is still in good condition? We are happy to help you on your way by sharing our top 3 electric cars with a generally good battery.

1. Hyundai Kona 2020

Electric driving will become even more attractive with a 2020 Hyundai Kona. This Kona has a total battery capacity of 136 hp. A battery pack of 64 kWh, with an estimated range of 484 kilometers, is also what makes this model attractive as a second-hand car.

We have listed the most important functionalities of the Hyundai Kona 2020 for you:

+Reversing Camera +Built-in Automatic Air Conditioning
+Alarm class 1 (immobilizer)
+Cruise control, including stop & go
+Possibility to switch through your steering wheel

2. Mini Electric 2020

The hip retro car of the Mini brand has now also been available electrically since the 21st century. The maximum power of this Mini Electric from 2020 is 135 kW. This is equivalent to 184 horsepower, with which you can easily achieve high speeds. The estimated range is 180 kilometers. The exact range depends on driving behaviour, climate and the route being driven.

We have listed the most important functionalities of the Mini Electric 2020 for you:

+Reversing camera
+Heated front seats
+Keyless entry
+Premium audio setup
+Alarm class 1 (immobilizer)

3. Kia e Niro 2020

And last but not least, the number 3 of our favorite used electric cars: the Kia e-Niro 2020. This Kia has a maximum battery capacity of 64 kWh (204 hp). A powerful battery, with which high speeds can be achieved quickly! In addition, the estimated battery capacity is no less than 67.5 kWh, of which 64 kWh can actually be used. In practice, you see that an average range of 370 kilometers is achieved.

Also want to know what the most important functionalities are of this Kia e-Niro? You can read them below.

+Reversing camera
+Cruise control including stop & go and steering assistance
+High beam assistant+Keyless entry
+Lane sensor including correction function

It is certainly not a bad idea these days to buy an electric car second-hand. It is therefore important to check the condition of the battery properly, for example during a test drive or by having it read by an expert. If you are looking for an electric occasion, the Hyundai Kona Electric, the Mini Electric and Kia e-Niro are definitely worth considering!