1. How fast does this car charge?
If a dealer can’t explain how long it takes to charge the car—both at home and at a public fast charger—that’s a problem. Charging speeds vary widely depending on the car, battery size, and charger type (Level 1, Level 2, DC fast charging). You deserve real-world numbers, not vague estimates.
Here are two examples to show you where a good dealer can really shine:
- Asking about a car’s fast charge speed might seem like a simple question, but charging speed depends on more than just plugging into a fast charger. While manufacturers often advertise "10–80% in 30 minutes," real-world results vary. That’s because every EV follows a charging curve. At low battery levels, the car charges quickly—near its peak rate. But as the battery fills up, charging slows down significantly to protect battery health. So while a car may support 150 kW charging, it won’t charge at 150 kW the entire time.
- Similarly, you might be shocked to see that it can take 14 hours to recharge an EV battery, even with pricey home charging equipment. Again, a good dealer will be able to talk to you about your daily mileage, and explain how long *you* will really need to charge every day.
✅ A good dealer will explain the car’s peak charging rate, how long it takes to add 100 miles, and what to expect from your home charging setup. They will even be able to give you guidance about whether or not you need to invest in extra equipment.
2. How much will the range change in summer and winter?
Range isn’t a fixed number. Cold weather, hot weather, HVAC use, and driving style can all cause big swings. If a dealer is still quoting the EPA range like it’s foolproof, they’re missing the point. Recurrent offers resources to understand how cold and hot weather may affect your range.
✅ Look for a dealer who can explain real-world range expectations by season and use tools like Recurrent’s battery range reports to show transparency.
3. How do I precondition this car?
Preconditioning - warming up the cabin and battery before driving or charging - is essential to preserve range during winter driving, to fast charge efficiently, and to take advantage of all the electric car perks. Getting into a car that’s already cool on a 100 degree day? Priceless.
If your dealer doesn’t even mention preconditioning, they may not understand EV basics. Instead, they should be able to tell you (or better, show you) the car’s app that lets you do things like remote start, precool, prewarm, and check charging.
✅ A knowledgeable dealer will walk you through how to precondition using the app, scheduled departure times, or on-screen controls.
4. Is this car compatible with the Tesla Supercharging network—and what do I need if it is?
With Tesla’s Supercharger network opening to more EVs, compatibility is a major selling point. But not all EVs can use it easily, and it might require an adapter or app setup.
✅ Top-tier dealers can explain whether the car supports Tesla’s NACS plug, if an adapter is needed, and how to activate charging through the Tesla app or Plug & Charge.
5. What incentives or credits apply to this car?
EV incentives can be tricky—federal tax credits, point-of-sale rebates, state programs, utility discounts. Your dealer should help you maximize them, not make you figure it out on your own.
✅ Top dealers will know what’s available and even help with paperwork.
6. What EVs do you and your team like to drive, and why?
A great EV dealer doesn’t just sell electric cars—they drive them. If your salesperson has hands-on experience, they can give you honest insights about what it's like to live with an EV day to day: charging, winter driving, road trips, software quirks, and more.
✅ Look for a dealer who can say, “I drive this and here’s what you should know.” Whether it’s a Chevy Bolt for the value, a Tesla Model Y for the tech, or a Hyundai IONIQ 5 for the styling and comfort, personal experience shows real commitment to EVs. And if the dealer doesn’t drive electric - that’s also OK. Find out why they made their choice to make sure you’ll be happy with yours.
Bonus: Want to make sure you're buying from an EV-savvy dealer?
Check out the winners of Recurrent’s Best EV Dealer Awards—dealers who are going the extra mile to understand electric vehicles and help their customers feel confident buying one.
And if you’re a dealership ready to step up your EV game, now is a good time to reach out.
