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Automobile Desk. The demand for used electric vehicles (EV) is increasing rapidly in the Indian market. People are getting attracted towards old EVs because they are available in the budget, but if you are also going to finalize a similar deal then wait for a while. A small oversight can completely spoil your budget. While buying a used electric car (EV), it is not enough to look at the color of the car, its model or kilometers. The most important part of any used EV is its battery, and making a deal without checking it can be risky.

The technology of electric cars is quite different from that of petrol or diesel vehicles. It has a motor instead of an engine and a heavy battery pack instead of a fuel tank. If a vehicle's battery turns out to be defective or has lost its capacity, the cost of replacing it can amount to a large portion of the vehicle's total price. In such a situation, it is not wise to take a decision without understanding the actual condition of the old vehicle.

If you go to see an old EV, the first thing to do is ask for its State of Health (SoH) report. This report tells you how much total battery capacity is currently left compared to new condition. This data is easily available in the Infotainment System of many modern vehicles or the mobile app associated with it. If the seller is reluctant to provide this report, then take the vehicle to an authorized service center and get it diagnostic tested.

Also, do not blindly trust the digital ranges visible on the dashboard. Take a test drive by driving the car in real traffic. Understand the difference between the distance shown on the screen and the actual distance covered on the road. If the vehicle is not able to cover even half the distance as promised, then it is clear that the health of the battery has deteriorated.

The method of charging and its behavior also tells a lot. Try putting the car on charge yourself before sealing the deal. If charging is repeatedly stopping or taking an unusually long time to fully charge, it may indicate a problem with the battery cells. Also find out whether the previous owner charged the vehicle with a faster charger or a home charger, as continuous fast charging reduces battery life rapidly.

Never forget to check the warranty and service history. Usually, car manufacturing companies give a long warranty on the battery up to 8 years or 1.6 lakh kilometers. Check whether the vehicle in question is still under warranty coverage and whether it has been regularly serviced by the company's authorized workshop.

Ultimately, the best course of action is to get your vehicle thoroughly checked by an independent EV expert or authorized service center before making any major financial decisions. A little vigilance and proper diagnostic checkup can save you from huge expenses in future.

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