What to clarify before buying an electric car
Choose an electric car around your regular journeys, reliable charging and a suitable reserve. Start with daily mileage, longer trips, parking, passengers and luggage, then compare actual cars and documents.
1. Plan your charging location and installation
Check reliable charging at home, work or on the road, including access, availability and tariffs. For installation at owned or rented parking, check local requirements and permissions.
Ask a qualified professional to assess an installation suitable for regular charging. An ordinary household socket is not a blanket recommendation for overnight charging. Planning guidance is available from SwissEnergy’s charging guidance.
2. Match range to your journeys
WLTP is a standardised comparison figure. Actual range depends on temperature, speed, route, load and battery condition. Allow reserves for winter and motorway driving; no single distance suits everyone.
Long trips also require charging stops. Compare AC charging at your regular parking location and DC charging times on the road. Peak power alone is insufficient. See our selection of electric cars with a recorded range above 400 km.
3. Document battery and vehicle condition
For a used car, check service records, battery capacity and any battery report. SoC indicates the current charge; SoH describes health relative to a reference. They measure different things.
Ask about test type, date and scope. A quick test and a capacity measurement under defined conditions provide different information. On our page about the AVILOO battery test we explain the process and limitations. More background is available from SwissEnergy on electric car batteries.
4. Check the actual vehicle’s warranty
Vehicle and traction-battery warranties may have different terms. Check start date, remaining duration, mileage limits, capacity conditions and servicing requirements. Do not apply another model’s warranty to your car.
An additional warranty does not automatically cover the high-voltage battery. Compare Auto Bonau warranty information with the cover expressly agreed in your offer.
5. Calculate total costs with your tariffs
Compare price, finance, insurance, energy, maintenance, tyres and any charging installation. Electricity cost per 100 km is electricity drawn per 100 km multiplied by your tariff. Use your actual mix of charging locations and include charging losses.
Electric cars still need maintenance. Brakes, tyres, suspension, air conditioning and model-specific fluids or drivetrain parts remain relevant. Follow the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule.
Taxes and possible incentives vary by location and programme. Check the competent authority’s current information before including a benefit in your budget. No incentive is guaranteed here.
6. Compare purchase, leasing and a test drive
For leasing, compare deposit, term, mileage, insurance and return conditions as well as the monthly payment. An online calculation is not financing approval. Residual-value risk depends on the actual contract.
During a test drive, check seating, controls, regeneration and space. Ask to see the charging port and supplied accessories. Clarify missing information before buying.
Find current electric cars
Compare our complete electric stock or start with Electric cars under CHF 30,000. For a compact car, compare the Fiat 500 and Opel Corsa and check their electric versions.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy an electric car without my own wallbox?
Yes, if suitable workplace or public charging is reliably available. Check access, tariffs, charging times and your routine before buying.
Is the stated range guaranteed in winter?
No. Temperature and other conditions affect range. Plan a reserve and suitable charging opportunities.
Does a 100 percent charge mean an as-new battery?
No. State of charge (SoC) and state of health (SoH) are different. A full charge does not prove as-new battery capacity.
Does a used-car warranty automatically cover the traction battery?
No. Check the actual terms. Vehicle warranty, manufacturer battery warranty and additional cover may have different coverage and exclusions.
Are charging costs identical for every electric car?
No. Consumption, charging losses and tariffs determine energy costs. Use your normal charging locations and compare the other vehicle costs too.