An electric car from China: pros, cons and what to look at when choosing

Chinese electric cars — BYD, Zeekr, Xpeng, Li Auto and others — cost clearly less than European ones with similar equipment. But a few things are worth checking before you buy.

Who an electric car suits

• You drive mostly in the city and near it.
• You have a place to charge: at home, in the yard or at work.
• Long trips are rare, and there are fast chargers on the route.

If there is no charger nearby or you often drive far, look at hybrids: they charge from a socket and run on petrol when the battery is empty.

What to look at when choosing

Range

Listings show the range by the Chinese CLTC cycle. In real life it is lower, and in winter it drops further. Take a margin: if you need 300 km a day, look for a car rated at 450–500 km.

Charging connector

Cars made for the Chinese market have a GB/T connector. Europe uses another standard: Type 2 and CCS2. You need an adapter, and not every fast charger fits.

Important

Before you buy, ask which connector the car has and which adapter you need in your country. It decides where you will be able to charge.

Menu language and the app

The infotainment system is often in Chinese and English only. Not every model can be translated. Chinese apps and navigation usually do not work outside China.

Battery

For a used electric car the state of the battery matters most. Ask for a capacity report at the inspection. In the catalog every car shows its battery capacity in kWh.

Parts and service

Before you buy, find out who services this brand in your city. For popular brands, such as BYD, service and parts are easier to find.

Pros

• A lower price than European electric cars of the same class.
• Rich equipment already in the base trim.
• Cheap trips: electricity costs less than fuel.
• Many countries give electric cars relief at customs.

Cons

• Less range in winter.
• A Chinese charging connector: you need an adapter.
• The menu cannot always be translated.
• As a rule, the manufacturer’s warranty does not apply outside China.

Where to start

Look at the collection of electric cars from China or cars under €20,000. The page of every car has a turnkey price estimate. If in doubt, fill in the car finder: we will suggest options for your budget and trips.