Should I buy and electric car? Take our EV suitability test

With the increasing popularity of electric vehicles (EVs), many people are wondering if they should make the switch. While EVs offer benefits like reduced emissions, lower running costs, and a quieter driving experience, they're not necessarily right for everyone.

Before buying an electric car, it's important to evaluate your needs, lifestyle, and the practicalities of owning one. Motoring journalist and expert Pete Barden has just the thing for you to help make the big decision...

Is it time for you to buy and EV? Our test can help you decide

Should I buy and electric car - take the suitability test

Below is a list of 20 questions that will help you work out if an electric car is the right fit for you.

Each question has four multiple-choice answers, each assigned a score from 1 to 4, with 4 being the most suitable answer for EV ownership and 1 being the least suitable.

Grab a pen and paper and tot up your score as you go through the questions below.

At the end of the article, you’ll find a scoring system to help you interpret your results and decide if an electric vehicle is the best choice for you.

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1. How far do you travel each day?

• A. Less than 20 miles (4 points)
• B. 20–50 miles (3 points)
• C. 50–100 miles (2 points)
• D. Over 100 miles (1 point)

2. Do you have access to a garage or driveway where you can install a home charger?

• A. Yes, I have a garage or driveway (4 points)
• B. I have a driveway, but no garage (3 points)
• C. I live in an apartment but have dedicated parking (2 points)
• D. No, I have street parking only (1 point)

3. What’s your budget for purchasing a new vehicle?

• A. I’m willing to spend over £40,000 (4 points)
• B. I’m aiming for £30,000–£40,000 (3 points)
• C. I’m hoping to spend £20,000–£30,000 (2 points)
• D. I’m looking for the cheapest option available (1 point)

4. How concerned are you about your environmental impact?

• A. Very concerned, I actively look for ways to reduce my carbon footprint (4 points)
• B. Somewhat concerned, but not my top priority (3 points)
• C. I care but haven’t taken major steps to reduce it (2 points)
• D. It’s not a concern for me (1 point)

5. Do you regularly take long road trips?

• A. No, I rarely travel long distances (4 points)
• B. Occasionally, maybe a few times a year (3 points)
• C. Yes, at least once a month (2 points)
• D. Frequently, almost every weekend (1 point)

6. How important is fast charging capability to you?

• A. Very important, I need to charge quickly (4 points)
• B. Somewhat important, but I can wait (3 points)
• C. Not important, I usually charge overnight (2 points)
• D. I don’t know much about charging (1 point)

7. How much do you spend on fuel each month?

• A. Over £200 (4 points)
• B. £150–£200 (3 points)
• C. £100–£150 (2 points)
• D. Less than £100 (1 point)

8. Do you have access to public charging stations near your home or work?

• A. Yes, plenty of options nearby (4 points)
• B. A few, but not many (3 points)
• C. I know of one or two (2 points)
• D. None that I’m aware of (1 point)

9. How comfortable are you with new technology in vehicles?

• A. Very comfortable, I enjoy using the latest tech (4 points)
• B. Fairly comfortable, I use it but don’t rely on it (3 points)
• C. Neutral, I prefer simpler systems (2 points)
• D. I’m not a fan of technology in cars (1 point)

10. How much are you willing to spend on maintenance each year?

• A. Less than $500 (4 points)
• B. £500–£1,000 (3 points)
• C. £1,000–£2,000 (2 points)
• D. More than £2,000 (1 point)

11. Do you live in a cold climate with long winters?

• A. No, I live in a warm climate (4 points)
• B. Yes, but winters aren’t very harsh (3 points)
• C. Yes, winters are long but not extremely cold (2 points)
• D. Yes, winters are long and harsh (1 point)

12. Are you eligible for any government incentives or rebates for buying an electric car?

• A. Yes, I qualify for multiple incentives (4 points)
• B. Yes, I qualify for one or two incentives (3 points)
• C. I’m not sure, but I think I might qualify (2 points)
• D. No, I’m not eligible for any incentives (1 point)

13. How important is a quiet driving experience to you?

• A. Very important, I prefer a quiet car (4 points)
• B. It’s nice to have, but not essential (3 points)
• C. I don’t really care about noise levels (2 points)
• D. I like the sound of a traditional engine (1 point)

14. How long do you usually keep your cars?

• A. Over 10 years (4 points)
• B. 6–10 years (3 points)
• C. 3–5 years (2 points)
• D. I change cars every 2–3 years (1 point)

15. Are you willing to learn how to optimise battery life?

• A. Yes, I’m eager to learn about it (4 points)
• B. I’ll do some research if needed (3 points)
• C. I’d prefer not to deal with it much (2 points)
• D. No, I don’t want to bother with it (1 point)

16. How important is resale value to you?

• A. Not very important, I plan to keep the car for a long time (4 points)
• B. Somewhat important, but I’m not too worried about it (3 points)
• C. Important, I want to get a good return on resale (2 points)
• D. Very important, I need high resale value (1 point)

17. Do you frequently carry heavy loads or tow?

• A. No, I don’t tow or carry heavy loads (4 points)
• B. Occasionally, but not often (3 points)
• C. Yes, but not regularly (2 points)
• D. Yes, I tow or carry heavy loads regularly (1 point)

18. How important is performance (e.g., speed, acceleration) in your choice of car?

• A. I love strong acceleration and high performance (4 points)
• B. I like good performance but it’s not my top priority (3 points)
• C. I’m fine with average performance (2 points)
• D. Performance doesn’t matter much to me (1 point)

19. How comfortable are you with the idea of relying solely on electricity to power your car?

• A. Completely comfortable, I’m confident in the technology (4 points)
• B. Mostly comfortable, but with some reservations (3 points)
• C. A little nervous, I’m not sure how reliable it is (2 points)
• D. Very uncomfortable, I don’t trust electric vehicles yet (1 point)

20. How flexible is your daily routine?

• A. Very flexible, I can charge whenever needed (4 points)
• B. Somewhat flexible, I can plan around charging times (3 points)
• C. My routine is tight, but I can make small adjustments (2 points)
• D. Not flexible, I need my car ready to go at all times (1 point)

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Scoring System

• 70–80 points: You are an ideal candidate for an electric vehicle!
  You have the right setup, lifestyle, and budget to make an electric car work for you. With your flexible driving habits and access to charging, an EV will offer you significant cost savings, environmental benefits, and convenience.

• 50–69 points: You’re a good fit, but there are some considerations.
  While an electric car can work for you, there may be a few challenges to address. For instance, if you travel long distances or don’t have easy access to charging, you’ll need to plan accordingly. However, with some adjustments, an EV could still be a great choice.

• 30–49 points: An electric vehicle may not be the best fit for you right now.
  You may face obstacles such as lack of charging infrastructure, long driving distances, or a tight budget. Consider whether these factors could change in the future, or if a hybrid vehicle might be a better interim solution for you.

• 20–29 points: An electric car is probably not suitable for your needs.
  Based on your answers, you might struggle with the current limitations of electric vehicles. Whether it’s due to high mileage, lack of charging options, or a low budget, an EV may not align well with your lifestyle right now.

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This questionnaire should give you a clearer understanding of whether buying an electric car is the right choice for you. If you're still unsure, it’s always helpful to visit a dealership, take a test drive, and speak to current EV owners to get their perspective.

 

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