We are increasingly paying attention to the environmental impact of our consumer decisions. As a result, many drivers are starting to replace their four-wheelers with versions powered not by petrol, but by electricity. Although there are many models of such cars on the market, many people are struggling with the dilemma of which electric car is best for their family or which electric cars available in Poland will not break their wallets. These and other doubts are answered in the article below.
Which electric car should you choose and what should you keep in mind when buying?
Due to the growing popularity of electric cars, the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management has introduced the possibility of obtaining a subsidy for the purchase of a new car. Thanks to the 'My Electric' programme, potential owners of electric cars have the opportunity to obtain additional funds for their new purchase. This is worth bearing in mind when you want to choose the right model for you and your family, but finances become a constraint. Besides, what should you look for when answering the question of which electric car to buy?
Coverage
First and foremost, range is important. Whether it's worth buying an electric car depends on what needs it has to meet, which directly links to how much distance your chosen model is able to cover on a single charge. On the market, you will find models that will cover 200 kilometres, or those that will travel more than 500 kilometres. Which one will be ideal for you? According to statistics, your commute to work averages around 37 kilometres a day, so models that do not exceed 200 kilometres on a single charge will definitely suffice for your daily commute.
The situation changes when you are looking for an all-purpose car - ready for the daily commute to the workplace and driving longer distances on your dream holiday, for example. This is when you should consider a car that is capable of covering longer distances without recharging.
Charging time
With a certain range also comes the need to charge the vehicle. Before buying a car that runs on electricity, it is worth considering what options we have for powering it. The time it takes to charge the batteries depends on which power source we choose. A household socket provides around 2-2.5 kWh of power per hour, which means that charging an electric car with a battery capacity of 80-83 kWh can take as long as 41 hours. The Wallbox can come to the rescue, which increases the power extracted to 7-11 kWh and thus reduces the charging time. Thanks to its easy installation and user-friendly operation, the Wallbox can be used in your own garage.
Charging stations are also an alternative. Despite the growing popularity of electric cars, they are rarely found at Polish stations, and their price is also a disadvantage. Currently, this is the most expensive way of charging batteries for electric cars.
Price
The price of electric vehicles depends not only on their size, performance or engine power, but also on the aforementioned range and battery power. Before choosing the right car, it is worth making a diagnosis of your own needs, lifestyle and where you will be driving your new car.
If you are a fan of the urban skyline, models in the smaller segment are worth considering. Thanks to their compact size, parking will cease to be a struggle for extra centimetres. Prices for such models range from as little as PLN 80,000 to PLN 100,000. For family SUV models or larger electric cars, prices are slightly higher.
Where to buy an electric car if you are limited by your wallet? It is then worth considering what second-hand electric cars have to offer. The price of such models is lower than showroom products and, due to the short time they have been on the market, you do not run the risk of buying a car with high mileage or damage.
Electric car - which one to choose to be safe and comfortable?
Safety is one of those parameters that should always come first when buying any vehicle. Year after year, manufacturers in the automotive market are outdoing themselves with innovative safety systems to protect both drivers and passengers from the consequences of road accidents. What safety measures will we find in electric cars?
In practice, in most electric car models you will find the same safety systems as in their combustion counterparts. These include numerous airbags, braking systems and seat belts, which, like those used in petrol vehicles, are self-locking. In addition, depending on the manufacturer, there are sensors to prevent the vehicle from being driven into from the front or rear, or sensitive braking systems to ensure that any pedestrians running onto the road unexpectedly do not get hurt.
However, the biggest concern for consumers is the power supply of such a car. Many drivers worry that a battery-powered car has a greater tendency to catch fire than its combustion cousin. This is not true, as the cooling systems used by manufacturers to power electrics are designed to prevent such accidents. Such systems can be found in Tesla, electric cars from Volkswagen, Škoda or BMW. 
Which electric car to buy - popular car models on the Polish market
The surge in the popularity of electric cars came in 2020, when a significant increase in sales of such vehicles around the world was noticed. The most popular brands bought abroad are, of course, the brand owned by billionaire Elon Musk - Tesla. The next place belongs to the South Korean brand Hyundai, and the third place belongs to the German brand Volkswagen.
In Poland, Tesla only came in fourth place. In the top three we find brands such as the Japanese Nissan, BMW and Renault. The Nissan Leaf turned out to be the most frequently purchased model by Poles. It is an electric passenger car that has engine power of up to 270 kilometres on a single charge, up to 370 kilometres in the more expensive model. One of its advantages is also its price and small size, which will work both in the city and for longer trips.
What are the advantages of electric cars available on the Polish market?
An increasing share of the automotive market is being grabbed by electric cars. Buying such a vehicle means many conveniences and simplifications for the user. Electric cars have a simpler design, which makes servicing them much less time-consuming and complicated. Owners of "electrics" are also relieved from having to change the oil or service the gearbox.
Another advantage is that electronic cars run extremely quietly. This makes driving much more comfortable. When discussing the advantages, it should also be mentioned that an electric car does not produce exhaust fumes. It is therefore an interesting alternative for those who appreciate an environmentally friendly lifestyle.
