Buying a new car is an exciting process as you get to pick the car that’s right for you and then choose the color, trim level, and accessories. What you end up with is the exact car that fits your needs and your budget. However, when shopping for an electric car, there are some minor differences in the process, so it’s important not to fall for these common mistakes.

Mistake: Not knowing how you are going to charge your new electric car

Whether you’re buying a new or used electric car, it’s important to know how and where you’re going to charge it. According to Auto Evolution, the most ideal situation would be to buy a home charger so that you can plug the car in every night when you come home. In the morning you’ll wake up to a fully charged car. Also, if you can charge the car at work, that would be beneficial as well.

If you’re unable to charge the car at home or at work, then you may have to find a public charging location that you can use when shopping for groceries or running errands. The good thing is that you most likely won’t have to charge every day if you pick an electric car that has a 200-plus-mile range. But if you have an older Nissan Leaf that can only get up to 80 miles, for example, then that could prove tougher to charge without a home charger. Plan wisely to get the most range out of your electric car so that you’re not left stranded even when you’re at home.

Mistake: Not considering the electric car’s fast-charging capabilities

Another factor to consider is the electric car’s fast-charging capabilities. Some EVs like the Audi E-Tron and the 2022 Nissan Leaf are capable of 480-volt DC quick charging, which can charge the batteries up to 80% in 30-40 minutes. If you plan to take a long road trip at some point, then you can plan out your trip using a phone app like Plug Share and then consider when and where you can charge the car.

Mistake: Buying an electric car without heated seats

Most, if not all, of the electric vehicles currently for sale in the U.S market are equipped with heated seats. Some of them even come with a heated steering function. However, these two features are typically not standard and you may have to opt for a higher trim level to get them.

Do it! Whether you live in a snow state or not, it’s a good idea for your EV to have heated seats because they warm up quicker than the HVAC system and use less of the battery’s charge in the process.

Mistake: Not opting for the larger battery

If you plan on purchasing an electric vehicle like a Tesla or a Nissan Leaf, then it’s strongly suggested to go with the model with a larger battery. In Tesla’s case, you can opt for any of the “long-range” models. For the Nissan Leaf, the S Plus models take the car’s range up from 149 to 226 miles on a charge. No matter what that step up is, take it. You’ll be thankful that you did later on when you don’t have to worry about the car’s range when driving that extra distance or running that additional errand that always seems out of the way.

Buying an electric car is fun and easy

Ultimately, buying an electric car should be fun and easy, not daunting and confusing. There are really only a few different factors to pay attention to like range and charge times, but otherwise, it’s not that much different than buying a gas-powered car. Just don’t fall for these mistakes.