You’ve likely test driven vehicles before and have a general sense of what to look and feel for when doing so. But an electric vehicle (EV) is such a different type of ride that it requires a different set of guidelines when test driving.
Below are some tips for how to test drive an EV so you can be best prepared to shop for your next car.
Tips for Test Driving an EV
Listen
When test driving a gas-powered car, you might listen to the engine to hear how it sounds when accelerating or cruising at a high speed. But when test driving an electric vehicle, you’ll be listening for the sound of silence.
The electric motors of an EV produce only a gentle whirring noise. They are so quiet in fact that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration implemented a “quiet car” rule requiring EVs to make a sound at low speeds to alert nearby pedestrians of their presence.
Look
Look behind you. You won’t see a trail of tailpipe emissions following you around. In fact, you won’t even see a tailpipe period. EVs do not have internal combustion engines and hence do not have any fuel to burn and release.
Feel
An electric vehicle looks and sounds different, but where it really stands out in a test drive is in the feel.
The first thing you’ll notice is the instant torque. While EVs are not known for power, they actually accelerate quicker than gas-powered cars because the electric current turns the motor faster than burning fuel. As a result, electric cars can reach maximum torque from a standstill.
As you continue to accelerate, you’ll notice there is no shifting lag. That’s because EVs operate with a one-speed transmission, creating a smooth and seamless ride from start to finish.
That same smooth feeling will continue as you brake, thanks to the electric car’s regenerative braking which sends kinetic energy back to the battery when braking.
You’ll also feel how responsive the handling is, because EVs tend to have a lower center of gravity than gas-powered vehicles.
Test Drive an EV Today in Madison, WI
Now that you know how to test drive an EV, come do it at Zimbrick Auto in Madison, WI. You can browse our selection of new electric vehicles for sale online and then hop in the driver’s seat upon arrival.
And if it’s energy savings you’re after, we also have a large inventory of new hybrid vehicles for sale.
Come visit us today and shift your new EV test driving knowledge into gear at your local Zimbrick dealership in Madison.
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