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The range depends on the battery size, driving style, outside temperature, vehicle load and in-car amenities such as heating or air conditioning. In addition to the official WLTP range, pay particular attention to how well the real-world range and charging performance match your personal driving profile.

At home, you can charge an electric car using your own wallbox. On the road, you rely on publicly accessible charging stations that support AC (alternating current) or DC (direct current) charging. When planning your trips, the key factors are the right plug type, charging power, electricity tariff and the best location of charging stations along your usual routes.

Charging time is roughly the battery capacity divided by the charging power. An electric car with a 60 kWh battery will charge much more slowly at a standard 7 kW wallbox than at a DC (direct current) fast charger. On long trips, short stops at fast-charging stations are often more efficient than charging the battery from 0% to 100%.

Costs vary significantly between charging at home, at publicly accessible charging stations that support AC (alternating current) charging and DC (direct current) fast charging. Charging at home is usually the cheapest option. On the road, the price depends on the charging network, the chosen tariff, the charging power and how much energy you use.

Many manufacturers offer substantial battery warranties, typically around eight years or up to a specified mileage. For used electric cars, the current State of Health (SoH) certificate of the battery, the mileage, the charging history and the remaining warranty all help you assess its condition.

Electric cars do not emit pollutants while driving. However, their overall environmental impact also depends on battery production, the electricity mix used for charging and their service life. The higher the share of renewable energy used for charging, the lower their environmental impact during use.

Electric cars are often more expensive to buy. However, when it comes to operating costs – electricity, maintenance and taxes (which vary by region or canton) – they can be significantly cheaper. For a fair comparison, it is best to calculate the total costs over several years.

When buying a used electric car, this checklist will help you cover the most important points: • Real-world range: Check whether the range is sufficient for your everyday needs – especially with older models, the actual range may already be lower than the original manufacturer’s specifications. • Current battery condition: Ideally, obtain a recent certificate confirming the battery’s State of Health (SoH). • Maximum charging power: Check how quickly the car can charge at alternating current (AC) stations and DC (direct current) fast-charging stations. • Charging cables: Ensure that the necessary cables are included and undamaged – such as a Type 2 cable for publicly accessible charging stations and, if relevant, a cable suitable for home charging (e.g. for a domestic socket or your wallbox). • Service history: Check the service booklet to confirm that all required maintenance and software updates have been carried out on schedule. • Remaining battery warranty: Clarify exactly how many years or kilometres are left on the manufacturer’s warranty for the battery.