As more electric vehicles enter the used car market, drivers who probably couldn’t afford a new electric car are certainly eyeing those electric vehicles now. Buying a used electric vehicle can be a great way to experience electric power without paying a hefty price tag. Plus, the overall cost of owning an electric vehicle remains relatively low even if you shop for used cars.

But what should you know before you make the leap into the used electric vehicle space? Today, we’ll take a look at some of the pros and cons of purchasing a used electric vehicle.

Understand Battery Degradation

The biggest concern with buying a used electric vehicle is the state of the battery. As with all types of batteries, lithium-ion batteries degrade over time. A battery that’s experiencing degradation tends to do a poorer job holding a charge, affecting the overall range it can go on a single charge.

There are many factors that influence how an EV battery degrades. Generally however, using a fast charge port, allowing your EV battery to be exposed to higher temperatures for long periods of time, and overcharging your battery, can all play a role in your battery’s performance over time.

When you shop for used cars that are electric, you won’t be able to see these battery issues with your naked eye. Luckily, electric vehicles are equipped with some data measurement tools that give you insight into the life of a battery. Before purchasing a used vehicle, understand the numbers of the used EV you want and determine whether the battery life is still healthy, if the battery is still under warranty, and if there are any other charging issues you should be aware of.

Generally, most manufacturers will warranty their battery anywhere from 5 to 8 years. While electric vehicles are relatively new, experts predict that an EV battery can last anywhere from 10 to 20 years before it needs to be replaced. Once it does get replaced, you should prepare for a pretty hefty price tag ranging anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000.

Consider How to Charge Your EV

When you purchase an electric vehicle, you’ll need to have a place to charge it. Public chargers are still not as common as they need to be, especially in rural areas, and are certainly not as convenient as EV drivers would want them to be. According to the latest data, there are an estimated $145,000 gas stations across the U.S. compared to only 53,000 public charging stations.

Unless you live in a bustling city where chargers are prevalent, if you’re going to own an electric vehicle, you’re going to want to have a charger installed at home, an expense that can cost anywhere from $1,000 to 2,500.

You also need to consider the time it takes to charge your electric vehicle and if that’s something worth factoring into your lifestyle. The length that it takes to charge your vehicle depends on the type of vehicle you have and the charger. Level 1 chargers offer the slowest rate of charge, while level 2 chargers can double the charging time. Level 3, or fast chargers, offer the fastest rate of charge but also decrease your battery’s overall lifespan.

Shop Used Cars and Enjoy the Perks of Owning an EV

It’s not all bad news when it comes to shopping for used cars that are electric. If you shop used electric vehicles that are still relatively new, within the past 2 to 4 years, you may still be able to qualify for federal, state, and even local tax incentives. Under the IRS Used Clean Vehicle Credit, a qualifying electric vehicle from a dealer costing $25,000 or less may make you eligible for a tax credit of up to $4,000.

Generally speaking, you’ll typically have lower maintenance costs with an electric vehicle as compared to a gas-powered vehicle. For example, you won’t have to deal with routine maintenance services like oil changes.

Shopping for used cars also allows you to snag more savings on the EVs you love. It’s these financial breaks that can really make shopping for a used car in the electric space well worth the money.