Looking to buy a new electric car? Here’s our guide to help you make that big decision

​So here are a few tips to help you decide if you should buy a new battery electric vehicle this July. To a large extent this year, people are voting with their pockets – and their fears. They are not buying electric cars in anything like the volume the motor industry or politicians anticipated or targeted.

You don’t need me to tell you that there are several reasons for this. They include lack of confidence in public charging points, perceived reductions in trade-in values of relatively new BEVs, lower incentives, higher initial price and so on.

A core reason is that the first wave of enthusiasts or early adapters has come and gone. In other words, those who fuelled the new BEV buying surge of the past few years have their car and are getting on with life as an electric car owner.

That leaves the vast majority of us car buyers still thinking about what to do. And so far we “new arrivals” have been cautious in what we will spend our money on. Because buying a new BEV involves a lot of money, and usually more than its internal combustion engine (ICE) counterpart.

Falling BEV registrations are not specific to Ireland. All over Europe, markets are tightening as confusion feeds into lack of nerve and confidence.

But we need to be more convinced and more reassured that the BEV deal is genuinely for us.

It is, we are told, part of the life cycle of a new product that there is an initial spike in buying, followed by a plateau and then a fall-off before things pick up again. But what will get someone to make the change? On a general level we really need some better incentives, although I doubt we’ll get them.

Better to realise that manufacturers have committed fortunes to electrification and are not for turning. So competition between some brands is leading to price wars, which is clearly a good thing for buyers. At the same time some are pushing back the expiry of ICE models to cater for the demand created by the vacuum in BEV sales. Another win for potential buyers.

Some, like Ford, are sticking to their BEV plans and won’t extend the life cycle of the Focus beyond next year, for example. But the likes of the Mercedes A-Class’s demise has been pushed back to 2026 because of the level of ICE purchasing. And the Volkswagen group has slowed output of several BEVs due to oversupply.

Toyota’s annual earnings, released today, show a major boost from demand for hybrids. That is seen as highlighting the benefit of hybrids while doubts exist over BEVs.

But there will come a day when it will be mostly BEVs for sale. It’s getting to the stage that many automakers have more BEVs or PHEVs (plug-in hybrids) or hybrids than ICE models so, in one way, your petrol or diesel options are limited.

My advice is to plough your own furrow and do your own research. There is a lot of negativity and plenty of “bar stool” experts out there – as well as some persuasive sellers.

Test driving is a great way of getting to know a BEV. Take one for a day or two from a local dealer if you can and see how you get on. Against that backdrop, you can frame a list of what you want in your BEV.

Here are a few pointers:

• Make a list of the items you feel are essential in your next car.
• Factor in daily running costs, servicing, taxation, insurance in an ICE v BEV.
• Don’t focus on price alone. Shop around for the best value as well.
• Compare how much it’s going to cost to change to a new car and keep well within your budget.
• Would you use home or public charging points – or both?
• Does it really suit your driving needs? Would you have to dramatically adapt?
• Can you get the grant for a home charger? Is your house suitable for home charging?
• Work out the cost of charging and the potential savings.
• Check the warranty and what it covers.

(Some details courtesy of Simi)