![]()
This month, ACL introduces the battery-powered electric car, which needs recharging. They are becoming increasingly widespread in Luxembourg and across Europe, mainly for environmental reasons. Unlike a conventional car, an electric engine makes no noise.
The range of electric vehicles isn’t nearly as extensive as for conventional vehicles, but it’s still not that easy to sort through. Range, recharging, equipment, etc., ACL tells you about the important factors to consider for making the right choice:
Range: think about what you need
This is the number one consideration for anyone buying an electric car. You need to be practical, asking yourself: "What types of journey will I be doing in my electric car? What will my daily mileage be? ".
Answering these questions will help you narrow down the models. When you’re doing your research, bear in mind that there is a difference between the range stated by the manufacturer over an WLTP-type cycle and actual range. The average range for an electric car is +/- 200 km, but new models are offering a greater range every day.
Recharging
The average daily distance travelled by car in Luxembourg is 40 km and is therefore manageable by electric car at the time of writing. Depending on your daily schedule, a number of charging options are available: at home, quick charging (e.g. motorway services), at friends’ houses, at work (ask your employer) and public charging (a map of all public charging points, their power and availability is available via the Géoportail: g-o.lu/chargy). Charging times for electric cars vary according to the charging power, type of car and remaining battery charge.
And you also need to remember that a full charge isn’t always necessary: a charge level between 20 and 80% saves the battery and is effective.
Buying a car: do I buy or rent the battery?
Renting the battery lowers the initial cost of the car and gives you a certain amount of security in terms of trouble with the battery but you have to pay a “lifetime” fee. Please note: you can’t rent a battery with all manufacturers.
Try before you buy
Ride, road handling, acceleration, regeneration modes and features… A road test in real conditions lets you feel what it’s like to drive an electric car and compare different models.
Call Mobility LOFT now and make an appointment: this completely impartial service is free for ACL members, giving you the chance to find out everything you need before you decide which type of engine to go for. You can also request a free electric vehicle test drive.
Subsidy for buying an electric vehicle
Good news! The €5,000 subsidy is coming back in 2020 to encourage people to opt for e-mobility. Further information here.
Did you know? An electric car has 6,000 fewer parts than a conventional car, so it needs less maintenance and repair.