There has never been a better time for seniors to invest in an electric car. Given that technology has evolved, there is no dearth of charging stations, and prices are low. Electric cars don’t require much upkeep and are easy to maneuver on both city roads and highways. Also , they come with great mileage and are efficient, which means that owners won’t have to spend excessively on fuel as they may do for regular cars.

Tips to get electric car deals

1. Purchase used electric cars
Many buyers across the country opt to buy used electric cars instead of new ones.

The average price for new electric vehicles is about NZ$103,000, while that of used ones is about NZ$59,000. Such a wide price difference makes buying used electric cars a wise choice for seniors. On top of that, buyers of pre-owned electric vehicles can also get a federal tax credit of NZ$6520, which further lowers the sale price of these cars.
Electric cars are low-maintenance and highly reliable. They are also fuel-efficient. Their superior build quality means that they perform and feel just like brand new. For all these reasons, looking for used vehicles is one of the best ways for seniors to get great deals on electric cars in the country.

2. Check for tax subsidies
Many buyers have become environmentally conscious and prefer to purchase sustainable products. This shift in consumer behavior has led governments around the world to take action to reduce their respective countries’ contribution to the ongoing climate change.

Electric cars are fairly sustainable and produce less emissions. This is why governments usually offer tax rebates and other benefits to lower the price of electric cars. Tax subsidies reduce the price of electric cars for seniors. Additionally, seniors can check if there are specialized discounts and subsidies provided by the state or the central government.

3. Determine the true cost of owning
Often, people do not determine the actual cost of owning an electric car. There is more to buying a car; individuals need to factor in several things, such as its financing cost, the interest rate on the installment payments if they have taken a loan, and the cost of upkeep. It is also important to account for hidden costs for an electric car, such as its depreciation rate, taxes, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs, and maintenance expenses. Knowing all the costs makes it easy to budget for buyers. Those who check and compare all these ownership costs often tend to get the best deals on vehicles and the best electric car for seniors.

4. Rent the car before buying it
A particularly useful way to find the right car is to avoid purchasing it on the first try. Generally, dealerships only allow potential car buyers to have a single test drive before they can make up their minds about the purchase. Test drives are brief and do not allow enough time for potential buyers to make an informed decision. This is why many prefer to rent a vehicle for about a week before purchasing it. A week is long enough for people to fully evaluate the pros and cons of an electric vehicle. Once that is done for different vehicles, buyers will likely find the right electric car that is reasonably priced.

5. Ask for discounts
Dealerships tend to offer special “loyalty” discounts to buyers who select vehicles from the same brand as their last vehicle. On the other hand, buyers trying out a particular brand for the first time can ask for “conquest” discounts. Dealerships often agree to these requests as they have sales targets of their own to meet every month.

While asking for discounts, buyers can also check out all the financing options a given dealership offers before making the purchase . Dealers often have tie-ins with banks and financial institutions to give their existing clients and potential customers great financing options.

6. Avoid buying add-ons
While purchasing vehicles, buyers are tempted to add as many fancy features and add-on accessories as possible. Most people do not end up using any of these features. Paying extra for add-ons is often a mistake, and it simply increases the price of a vehicle. Electric vehicles are pricier compared to their combustion-engine counterparts. This is why a wise decision is to purchase a vehicle with only the necessary features and safety equipment. Doing this ensures that buyers get a reasonable deal on the electric car they want to purchase.

7. Opt for smaller wheels
Many buyers may not know that vehicles with tiny tire sidewalls are more expensive than those with smaller-diameter wheels. Purchasing larger-diameter wheels raises the price of electric vehicles significantly. This is why seniors should buy vehicles with smaller wheel sizes. The smaller wheels also increase the overall fuel efficiency of electric cars.