With the popularity of new energy vehicles, more and more friends are joining the “green card army”! However, the hype on the market is so exaggerated that it is easy for novices to step on the pit. Today, I have specially compiled several pitfall avoidance guides for first-time purchase of new energy vehicles~ Read carefully to help you avoid detours!
1. Car selection stage: These parameters are more important than “appearance”
1. Endurance is not “paper talk”
Have you ever had such an experience? Looking at the endurance mileage on the promotional page, I was very excited, but the actual driving was greatly discounted. This is because the “NEDC endurance” marked by many car companies is tested under ideal working conditions, which is far from the actual driving situation. Therefore, we should give priority to CLTC/WLTC working condition endurance. These two standards are closer to the actual driving scene.
2. Battery type determines life
Different battery types, like partners with different personalities, have their own advantages and disadvantages.
Lithium iron phosphate battery (such as BYD blade battery):
High safety and long life (2000 cycles), but obvious attenuation in winter. Imagine that in the cold winter, it is like a child who is afraid of the cold, and its performance will decline. However, it is very popular in the southern region because there is no need to worry about the impact of low temperature on the battery.
Ternary lithium battery (such as Tesla/NIO):
High energy density and good low temperature performance, but the cost is relatively high. It is like a warrior who is not afraid of the severe cold, and can maintain good performance in the winter in the north, but the price is relatively high, which is suitable for consumers with high requirements for battery life and performance.
3. Don’t ignore the charging speed
In this fast-paced era, the charging speed directly affects our user experience. Look at the fast charging power (such as 800V high-voltage platform charging faster), and it is qualified to charge to 80% in 30 minutes! For example, when you are in a hurry to go out to do things, but find that your car is low on power, a fast charging function can solve your urgent needs. Now many new models are constantly improving charging technology to make charging more efficient and convenient.
2. Avoid pitfalls when buying a car: Several secrets that salespeople will never tell you
Test drive cars may be “magically modified”
Some 4S stores will make test drive cars more powerful/longer by flashing programs, which is like adding a “beautification filter” to the vehicle. Suggestions:
Request to test drive a commercial vehicle (not a dedicated test drive)
Turn off the air conditioner/audio during the test drive and observe the actual battery life. Only in this way can you experience the most realistic performance of the vehicle and avoid being confused by the “illusion”.
Lifetime warranty ≠ completely free
Many people think that everything is fine when they see “lifetime warranty”, but this is not the case. Read the terms carefully! The battery will only be warranted if it decays by more than 30%, and it must be maintained at the 4S store throughout the process. Some car owners have encountered this. When they went to the 4S store for warranty due to battery problems, they were told that they did not meet the warranty conditions. Therefore, you must understand the specific details of the warranty to avoid disputes later.
“Free charging piles” may have pitfalls
Are you tempted to hear “free charging piles”? But there may be hidden mysteries in it. Be sure to ask whether the installation service is included (extra charge for wires over 30 meters) and the power of the charging pile (7kW/11kW). Once a car owner was delighted to think that the free charging pile could be installed and used directly, but was told during the installation that the length of the wire exceeded the standard and an additional considerable fee was required. Avoid pitfalls: Confirm the power capacity with the property in advance in old communities to avoid buying a pile but not being able to install it! Some old communities have outdated power facilities and cannot meet the power demand of charging piles. Advance communication can avoid unnecessary trouble.
3. Electric car dry goods: 3 major issues that novices are most concerned about
The first maintenance must be 3,000 kilometers?
The first maintenance of new energy vehicles is actually a free inspection (without changing the oil), just follow the manual requirements, don’t be fooled by 4S stores to pay in advance! Some 4S stores will recommend car owners to perform maintenance in advance in order to make profits, but this is actually completely unnecessary. As long as the maintenance is carried out in accordance with the provisions of the vehicle manual, the normal operation of the vehicle can be guaranteed.
Charging as you use it like a mobile phone? Wrong!
Many people think that charging new energy vehicles is the same as charging mobile phones, and you can charge them whenever you use them. In fact, this is a misunderstanding. It is recommended to fully charge lithium iron phosphate batteries once a week to calibrate the power, and it is best to keep the power of ternary lithium batteries at 20%-80%. It is like making a reasonable “diet plan” for the battery, so as to extend the battery life. If you overcharge or discharge frequently, it will cause irreversible damage to the battery.
Power saving tips
High-speed cruise control saves 15% more power than manually stepping on the accelerator; air conditioning internal circulation + seat heating is more energy-efficient than turning on the heater alone. These tips may seem simple, but they can save you a lot of power in daily use. For example, when driving long distances, turning on cruise control can not only reduce driving fatigue, but also reduce energy consumption.
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