Buying a used electric car: what to look for

Battery health (State of Health)

The battery is the most expensive part of an EV. The State of Health, or SoH, shows how much capacity is left compared with new. Above 90 percent is excellent for a car a few years old; below 80 percent the price should reflect it. Ask the dealer for a recent battery report or have one made at a brand garage.

Also look at the previous owner's charging habits. Frequent fast charging and regularly charging to 100 percent accelerate ageing. A car that mostly charged at home on AC is usually in better shape.

Range and charging

You rarely achieve the quoted WLTP range in practice, certainly not in winter or on the motorway. Count on 70 to 80 percent of the manufacturer's figure. Check the maximum AC charging speed (7.4 or 11 kW makes a big difference for home charging) and the DC fast-charging speed if you often drive long distances.

• Can you charge at home or at work? That decides whether a smaller battery is enough.
• Check that the charging cables and, if applicable, the wallbox cable are included.
• During the test drive, check that the car charges at a public charger.

Warranty and software

Most manufacturers warrant the battery for eight years or 160,000 km, with a minimum remaining capacity of around 70 percent. That warranty transfers to the next owner, but check the exact conditions and whether the service history is complete. Also ask whether the car has received the latest software updates; with some brands they noticeably improve range and charging speed.

Taxation in Belgium

For company cars, an electric car remains the most tax-efficient choice, with the highest deductibility and the lowest benefit in kind. For private owners, road tax differs per region and is low or zero for zero-emission vehicles. In any case, compare the total cost over several years: lower energy costs and less maintenance often offset a higher purchase price.