How to Prepare for Your New Electric Vehicle, Before You Pick It Up. - Owner Experience

Congratulations! You just placed an order for your new electric car. Now what?

What do you need to prepare for, and what can you anticipate ahead of picking up your new car.

When I placed an order for my Model 3 in 2016, it was two years until I actually picked up the car. I hadn't seen or test-driven the car, and I'd never owned an EV before. For the first year, I didn't think about it at all. It would come up in conversation every once in a while, and I'd tell people I was getting an EV as if I was telling someone else's story. It didn't seem real. As the months got closer to my pick-up date in the second year, I started to get nervous. I had no idea what to expect, and I had no idea where to start. My condo building had already denied my request to install a charger. I had watched YouTube videos from owners in the US, but it was still so new in Canada that not many people were sharing their first experiences with their EVs. I remember the day before picking up the car; I was so nervous that I was cursing at myself and questioning the entire vehicle purchase altogether; "Ani, what have you done?" The words of every nay-sayer that had laughed at me and doubted EVs' whole concept and existence were running on repeat in my head, "It's never going to happen. You're never going to get that car, and if by any miracle you do, it's going to be a piece of shit."

I'm so glad that I picked up

my car in May, 2018.

It's completely changed my life for the better, but I wish I had been more prepared and confident going into the experience. 

Over the years, I've had friends and family reach out with questions and concerns about purchasing an EV. I've talked to many people who've had cold feet and were nervous about placing an order on a vehicle they had little or no experience with. It was clear over time that everyone shared the same concerns. Mostly new owners wanted to know what they could expect once they brought home their new electric car.

So I've created this list of points you can work on before picking up your new or pre-owned electric vehicle. 

1. Figure out what you're doing with your existing car.

(if you have one).

Do you need to get your current car ready and sell it on your own? Are you trading it in? Is your current lease ending, or are you transferring the lease? This is probably the least fun part of getting a new car - dealing with the old one first. But maybe, just for fun, think about who will drive this car after you, and give it some love and attention before sending it out in the world. This car will carry a little piece of your karma and energy, and you can quietly and privately give it some good intentions.

2. Charging.

Find out what kind of charger your new vehicle needs and contact an experienced electrician to help you install it in your garage or driveway. The electrician can also help you locate the best place to install the charger, ensuring that it's safe and easy to connect to daily. Find out if you qualify for rebates on your new home or office charger. Plug'n Drive Charging info page is a good place to start if you're installing a charger. If you're like me and have to use destination chargers as your primary source, check out this blog post on best practices.

3. Contact your insurance company.

Let your provider know that you're switching to an electric vehicle and find out if they offer special rates and benefits for EVs. Some insurance companies are affiliated with various EV groups and organizations, and often they can extend reduced rates to members. It's worth asking.

4. Winter Tires and Mats.

Yes, you 100% need winter tires if you live in Canada. Regardless of your vehicle's powertrain, winter tires are necessary when temperatures drop below 7°C. You can order winter tires through the dealership where you placed an order for your car or order tires through your local tire shop. Think about swapping them on and off in the Spring and Fall, and you may want to consider also purchasing a set of winter wheels. You can also order tires yourself from the many online shops. Keep in mind storage and again, ask your dealer or tire shop to help you if needed. You'll also definitely need winter mats. The car presumably comes with carpet mats, and you'll need rubber mats for our beautifully messy winter salt and slush residues. Check out this blog post I shared about winterizing your EV.

5. Consider Interior and Exterior Protection.

This suggestion is more of a personal preference rather than a safety feature. A paint protection film (PPF) may add to your upfront car costs, but ultimately, it's meant to save you money and stress in the long run when your car gets dinged. It will protect you from stone chips and wear and tear damage that collects over time regardless of how carefully you drive. There’s also the option of ceramic coating the exterior and leather/vegan interior protection which are meant to make it easier to clean. Ask your friends and family if they recommend a detailing shop they've used in the past.

6. Licensing & Registration.

It's getting closer to your vehicle pick-up time, and you can start to plan your license plate swap or decide if you’ll be getting new ones. In Ontario, you can transfer your personalized plates to your EV or get new green plates. Green plates come with the perk of driving in the HOV lane, even with only one passenger in the car. Certainly a plus in rush hour.

7. Relax!

Be confident in your decision that you've made the right choice to switch to an electric car. It's completely normal if you're slightly nervous about what you don't know yet. But trust me, my friend, you're a smart and curious human, and it'll take you no time to learn new features and charging habits. If you've come this far, you already know the advantages of going electric, and now you'll be able to experience the benefits first-hand. Message me when you've officially become an EV advocate or started your Youtube channel in a couple of months. Talking about your EV is contagious, so be open to answering all the questions when your friends or family start to come to you for help.

Consider joining an EV organization or social clubs (such as a Tesla Owners Club in your area) and have fun!

Thanks for reading and feel free to share this post with anyone who may also be expecting their first electric car.

This blog post was written by Aniseh Sharifi who has been an EV owner since 2018. She’s an active electric vehicle advocate, volunteering with the Tesla Owners Club of Ontario and EV Society. She’s the Co-Founder of Fierce Media, a boutique communications agency specializing in e-mobility and the transition to renewable energies. 

Are you looking for new and creative ways to share your story online and increase brand awareness? Check out Fiercemedia.ca, and let’s connect!