Buying an Electric Car – Your Guide for Switzerland
Kamilya -
August 8, 2024
Mobility is changing worldwide. Environmental considerations and dwindling oil reserves have sparked a true boom in electric mobility. Do you want to move forward emission-free, quietly, and with inexpensive electricity? Then we have many important tips here for buying your new electric car.
Pros and Cons of Buying an Electric Car
The advantages of electric cars are obvious: environmentally friendly, economical, and agile, and they excel in many areas. But this not-so-new drive form (the first electric car was presented at the International Electricity Exhibition in 1881) also comes with disadvantages that unsettle many potential buyers. Range, charging infrastructure, and higher new car prices – what's the truth? Here's a fact check.
Environmental Friendliness
The environmental aspect is a strong argument for electric vehicles:
CO2 Emissions: Electric cars emit no exhaust gases while driving and are much more environmentally and climate-friendly than internal combustion vehicles. This is even more true if the electricity comes from renewable sources, such as a home photovoltaic system. As the number of electric cars on the roads increases, particulate matter and air pollution decrease.
Driving Noise: Another aspect is noise emissions. Traffic noise contributes to environmental pollution and is significantly lower with electric cars.
However, the sustainability of manufacturing certain components of electric vehicles still leaves much to be desired:
Battery Production: The production of electric cars is not entirely CO2-free. Many components and batteries are manufactured in China, where environmental concerns and resource-saving practices currently have little importance.
Battery Recycling: Discarded batteries harm the environment if not properly recycled.
Economy
Many economic advantages speak in favor of electric cars:
Fuel Costs: Even if you can't use a photovoltaic system or balcony power plant to charge your electric car, driving an electric car is significantly cheaper.
Regeneration: Electric cars recover braking energy and partially recharge their batteries.
Operating Costs: Electric cars are not as maintenance-intensive as combustion vehicles and require fewer operating fluids.
Subsidies: Various support programs and tax advantages in Switzerland reduce the purchase price and maintenance costs of electric cars.
But there are also negative aspects to consider:
Purchase Costs: The prices for new electric cars are currently usually higher than those of comparable internal combustion vehicles.
Range: On long trips, the range of electric cars can be a problem, although most models now cover more than 300 km on a single battery charge.
Higher Repair Costs: Even if they need to go to the workshop less often – when it is necessary, repairs on electric cars are often more expensive than similar work on combustion vehicles.
Charging Infrastructure: Switzerland's charging network is already very well developed. Nevertheless, there are regions where finding a charging point becomes difficult.
Charging Time: The battery of an electric car takes some time to charge. Fast charging stations offer high charging speeds but are also more expensive.
Other Considerations
In some Swiss cities and neighboring European countries, there are environmental zones where only low-emission vehicles are allowed or internal combustion engines are even banned. With an electric car, you can easily access these areas, and be sure that this will continue to be the case in the future – when more and more environmental zones or driving bans for combustion engines will massively restrict their use on the roads.
Environmental reasons and economics are one thing. But what about the driving experience? We have good news for you: Being environmentally friendly doesn't mean sacrificing driving pleasure. You'll be surprised at how well an electric car drives. In addition to smoothness, electric vehicles impress with their powerful acceleration.
Important Considerations Before Buying
Before you decide on an electric car, you should consider which criteria are important for your driving habits and mobility needs.
Range and Battery Life
If you're more of a short-distance driver, the range of your new electric car may not matter much to you. In city traffic, you can even recover energy in stop-and-go situations. If you often have to drive long distances, you should choose a model with a good range (400 to 600 km). Important: The range figures provided by manufacturers are achieved under ideal conditions and almost always deviate slightly. Factors that affect your electric car's range include:
Driving Style (rapid acceleration versus consistent speed)
Weather (extreme heat and cold reduce range)
Terrain (hilly terrain demands more from the battery)
Tire Pressure and Condition (rolling resistance increases with poor tires or incorrect pressure)
Load (more weight reduces range)
Use of Air Conditioning or Heating (the more power consumers, the lower the range)
Aerodynamics (with poorly aerodynamically designed electric cars, high wind resistance affects range)
Over time, battery capacity decreases even under optimal conditions. Eventually, the battery will need to be replaced – when this happens depends on battery life. The lithium-ion batteries used in almost all electric cars last 8 to 15 years, or even longer with good care.
Charging at Home and Publicly
If you don't have a wall box to conveniently charge your electric car at home overnight, you'll have to rely on the public charging infrastructure. Then you should consider charging speed and the availability of nearby charging stations.
Buying an Electric Car: New or Used
The decision between a new or used car depends largely on your budget, but other aspects also play a role.
Advantages of a New Car
Free choice of model with desired features
Latest models with current technologies
New, powerful battery
Dealer warranty
Dealer discounts
State subsidies and grants
Important Points When Buying Used Cars
When it comes to second-hand cars, you may have to wait a long time for your dream car – or make compromises. However, used cars are significantly cheaper because new cars lose about half of their value in the first two years. After that, the depreciation is less pronounced over time. Additionally, you should consider:
Outdated technology
No or reduced warranty
Less powerful battery
Are there any state subsidies and grants in your canton when buying used electric cars?
Try CARIFY's Flexible Car Subscription Including Purchase Option!
If you're still unsure and want to test the waters of electric mobility first, CARIFY has the solution for you: With our Try & Buy program, you can test your desired electric car on a subscription basis with the option to purchase it later at an attractive price. In our portfolio, you'll find new cars as well as young used ones. You can test drive the vehicle for up to 6 months. If you decide to buy it afterward, we'll refund the entire subscription fee – 100%!
Grants and Financial Support in Switzerland
To promote the mobility transition in Switzerland, the federal government and cantons have introduced numerous incentives. They make investing in an electric car more attractive. The Swiss Federal Office of Energy lists all Swiss funding programs for electric mobility, including:
Cantonal Subsidies: Many cantons subsidize the purchase of electric cars (new, possibly used).
Funding Programs: National funding programs support the switch to electric vehicles (new, possibly used).
Tax Advantages: Many cantons offer reductions or exemptions from motor vehicle tax for electric cars.
Conclusion
Improved ranges and Switzerland's widespread charging network make switching to environmentally friendly electric mobility an attractive option. Thanks to state subsidies and cheaper electricity compared to fossil fuels, it even pays off and rewards you with a great driving experience. Still unsure? Thanks to CARIFY's new Try & Buy program, you can test driving an electric car before buying. You can either return the car afterward or buy it and get the already-paid subscription fees refunded. It couldn't be easier.
FAQs
What is the best electric car currently?
The combination of range, performance, and comfort makes these electric vehicles popular:
Among sedans, the Nissan Leaf stands out, and for compact cars, the Fiat 500e offers a cult classic with a completely new driving experience. Want to drive an electric SUV? The Ford Mustang Mach-E or the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is no problem. And in terms of commercial vehicles, you can travel with low emissions when you choose the Ford E-Transit or the electric commercial vehicles from VW, Mercedes-Benz, and other manufacturers.
What is the cheapest electric car?
The range of two-seater electric vehicles, like the Swiss Microlino from Micro, allows you to enter the world of electric mobility with prices starting between CHF 12,000 and CHF 15,000. Young used electric cars are even available for four-digit sums.
Which electric car can be bought immediately?
With the following electric cars, you can't go wrong, as they offer a good price-performance ratio, good range, and advanced technology:
How much does an electric car cost approximately?
How much you pay for a new electric car depends, of course, on the brand and model.
Electric two-seaters are available from CHF 12,000
Electric small cars are available between CHF 25,000 and CHF 40,000
In the compact class, expect to pay between CHF 30,000 and CHF 40,000
Electric SUVs start at CHF 40,000, but prices go beyond CHF 100,000
Emission-free commercial vehicles are available new from CHF 30,000 to CHF 100,000
Used electric cars are usually significantly cheaper. You can often find a bargain.