Buying Guides
Is an Electric Car Right for You? A Practical Buyer's Guide
Range, charging, battery health and the true cost of ownership, explained in plain English so you can decide whether an EV fits your life.
Apex Auto Team 6 min read
Electric vehicles have gone mainstream, and the used EV market now offers some of the best values on our lot. An EV is a different ownership experience from a gas car, though, so it pays to think through a few questions before you buy.
How far do you actually drive?
The average American drives about 37 miles a day. Even an older EV with 220 miles of range covers that several times over. If you regularly take road trips of 300 miles or more, look for a model with fast DC charging and check the charging networks along your usual routes.
Where will you charge?
Most EV owners do more than 80 percent of their charging at home, overnight. Here is how the three charging levels compare:
| Charging level | Where you find it | Range added per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 (120V) | Any household outlet | 3 to 5 miles |
| Level 2 (240V) | Home wall chargers, workplaces, shopping centers | 20 to 40 miles |
| DC fast charging | Highway charging stations | 150 miles or more |
If you own your home, a Level 2 charger installation typically runs between $800 and $2,000, and utilities in Central Texas often offer rebates that reduce the cost.
What about battery health on a used EV?
Modern EV batteries are proving remarkably durable, and most manufacturers cover them for at least 8 years or 100,000 miles. Before we list any used EV, we run a battery state-of-health check and share the results with you, so you know exactly how much capacity remains.
- Ask for the battery state-of-health report, not just the displayed range.
- Check how much of the battery warranty remains.
- Confirm the car comes with its charging cable or adapter.
Running costs add up in your favor
With no oil changes, fewer brake jobs thanks to regenerative braking and electricity that costs far less per mile than gasoline, many owners save $1,000 or more each year. Insurance can run higher on some models, so get a quote before you sign.
Take a longer test drive
An EV feels different from the first press of the pedal. Browse our EVs, book a test drive, try one-pedal driving and ask us to show you how to plan a trip with charging stops. We are happy to answer every question, with no pressure.
