Are you considering buying a BMW EV (electric vehicle)? While it may seem like a solid choice to purchase an EV for your next car for driving around Auburn, Columbus or Opelika, make sure you are aware of the downsides of buying an EV. Here are the top reasons why you should reconsider buying an EV.
Charging and Range of (Electric Vehicles) EVs
EVs are limited on how far a single charge can take you. If you plan to use your BMW EV for a road trip out of state, you will need to plan your charging stops along the way which can be a hassle. And even when you stop to charge you may face wait times as there aren’t tons of charging stations built throughout the country so they may be in high demand. It will also take about 30 minutes to charge up as opposed to fueling up in a few minutes. Even with a level 2 charger installed in your home, you’ll still need to plan several hours for charging.
Mechanics for BMW EVs
While the positive side of owning a BMW EV is that there are far less maintenance requirements – no oil changes, tune ups, spark plug replacement. This is terrific, but if your car does need to be repaired from a collision, it may be more difficult to find a mechanic to work on it. And the costs may be higher than a non-EV because of the specialized parts involved.
Tax Savings options for EVs
While we often see the $7,500 tax credit for an EV, it only applies if you owe the government tax money. You will not get a refund from the government if you don’t already owe them money. Also note that not all EVs qualify for the tax credit. Source: EV Tax Credit 2024: How It Works, What Qualifies - NerdWallet
EV Insurance Costs:
Insuring an EV can sometimes be more expensive than insuring a comparable gasoline-powered vehicle due to factors such as higher repair costs. If this may factor into purchasing one reach out to your current insurance provider and they can tell you the cost of insuring a BMW EV.
Environmental costs of EV Batteries
While the benefits of lower emissions from electric powered vehicles vs gasoline ones are apparent, there are still some negatives to the environment for EVs. Precious minerals are necessary to make the batteries, and this depletes their supply. In addition, as the rate of use of electricity grows for these vehicles, it can place a burden on electric grids that the infrastructure cannot support in the immediate future.
A fantastic alternative are hybrid vehicles. While they are not fully electric, they offer excellent fuel economy. Plus, you will never have charge anxiety or have to find a specialty mechanic for repairs in the Auburn or Opelika area. We’d love for you to come in and test drive a hybrid today!