Shopping for an electric vehicle requires a different approach than buying a gas-powered car. While the basic driving experience might feel familiar, there are unique considerations that can make or break your satisfaction with an EV purchase. 

Here's how to adapt a test drive strategy when considering an electric vehicle.

Why EV Test Drives Are Different

Electric vehicles operate on entirely different principles than internal combustion engines. Instead of focusing solely on acceleration, handling, and comfort, EV shoppers need to evaluate the battery, charging, and range. These factors directly impact daily use in ways that don't apply to traditional vehicles.

Essential Questions to Ask Before Your Test Drive

It’s helpful to arm yourself with information that will make your test drive more meaningful before ever getting behind the wheel.

Range 

The most critical difference is understanding how the vehicle's range will work in real-world conditions, not just the EPA estimates you see on the window sticker.

  • What is the vehicle's current range compared to when it was new?
  • How has the battery performed over time, and what warranty coverage remains?
  • How does range change with seasonal temperature variations?

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Charging 

Carmakers are in various states of migrating to a single North American Charging Standard (NACS), and that can impact everything from home to public charging options.

  • What charging options are compatible with this vehicle?
  • How long does it take to add 100 miles at different power levels?
  • What does it cost to charge at home versus public charging stations in your area?

Many dealerships now provide detailed EV reports that answer these questions upfront, giving you a clearer picture of what to expect from the vehicle's battery performance. Here’s charging information from Recurrent that you can use on a dealership website. 

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What to Focus on During Your EV Test Drive

1. Explore EV Settings and Vehicle Interface

Electric vehicles come with interfaces that are either purpose-built for EVs or adapted from traditional cars. Spend time understanding:

  • How intuitive the main touchscreen feels for daily use
  • Whether EV-specific information (range, charging, efficiency) is easy to access
  • If the interface feels modern and responsive or clunky and adapted
  • How quickly you can find essential EV functions without hunting through menus
  • Whether custom buttons can be mapped to basic functions 

2. Test Charging Scheduling and Speed Settings

Many EVs allow you to control when and how fast your vehicle charges. During your test drive, ask to see:

  • How to set charging schedules for off-peak electricity hours
  • Options for adjusting charging speeds (amperage)
  • Pre-conditioning settings that warm or cool the car before use
  • Smart charging features that integrate with your home energy system

3. Experience Regenerative Braking Settings

Unlike most gas cars, EVs use regenerative braking to recapture energy and extend range. Test the different options:

  • Try various regenerative braking levels if adjustable
  • Experience "one-pedal driving" where lifting off the accelerator brings the car to a complete stop
  • Notice how the car behaves in different regen settings during city driving versus highway cruising
  • Determine which setting feels most natural for your driving style
  • Toggle “hold” or “hill hold” mode on and off to see which version works best with your driving style

4. Navigate to Charging Stations

Test the vehicle's built-in charging network integration:

  • Search for nearby charging stations through the car's navigation system
  • Check if it shows real-time availability, pricing, and charging speeds
  • See how well it integrates with major charging networks (Tesla Supercharger, Electrify America, EVgo)
  • Verify if the system can filter by plug type and charging speed
  • Check if inputting a Level 3 charger as a destination activates battery preconditioning

5. Plan a Long-Distance Route

Set a destination about 10 hours away to see how the EV handles trip planning:

  • Watch how the navigation automatically adds charging stops
  • Check whether it shows charging times and total trip duration

6. Assess Charging Port Placement and Accessibility

The physical location of the charging port significantly impacts daily usability:

  • Note whether the port is on the front, rear, or side of the vehicle
  • Practice maneuvering to align with different charger configurations
  • Consider how the placement works with your home garage setup
  • Test how easy it is to access the port in tight parking situations
  • Check if the charging cables reach comfortably 
  • If the vehicle has 360-degree cameras, practice using them while backing up

7. Visit a Public Charging Station

Include an actual charging experience in your test drive:

  • Go to a local fast-charging station to understand the real-world process
  • Practice the payment and authentication process
  • Determine whether you need a smartphone app or whether you can just pay with a credit card
  • Watch the charging speed and see how accurately the car predicted charging time
  • Ask the salesperson to walk you through the charging equipment

8. Monitor Real-Time Energy Consumption

Pay attention to how different driving scenarios affect your range:

  • City driving with frequent stops versus highway cruising
  • Using climate control (heating and air conditioning significantly impact range)
  • Driving up hills or mountain grades
  • Different driving modes (Eco, Normal, Sport) and their efficiency trade-offs
  • How weather conditions shown on the display affect projected range

This comprehensive approach gives you a realistic understanding of what EV ownership actually involves beyond just the driving experience.

Test driving an electric vehicle requires different priorities than shopping for a gas car. A knowledgeable dealer who can provide detailed information, demonstrate charging capabilities, and answer technical questions is essential for making an informed EV purchase.

Remember that electric vehicles represent a shift in not only in how cars are powered, but in how we think about vehicle ownership, maintenance, and daily driving routines. Taking the time to properly evaluate these differences during your test drive will help ensure your transition to electric driving is smooth and satisfying.