Choosing your first electric car should be exciting as you prepare for quiet drives, low running costs, and never using fuel again! But at Nevo we understand the market is a little crowded and the spec sheets can feel like alphabet soup. Here’s a clear, no-nonsense guide to help you pick the right electric vehicle the first time.

Start With Your Real Life, Not the Brochure

Most Irish commutes are well under 60km a day, so you don’t need a 600km battery to be happy. Map a normal week that includes school runs, office days, gym trips, weekend visits etc. Add the longest journey you do a few times a year. That picture will tell you how much range you actually need and where charging fits in. If you can charge at home, even a modest battery will feel huge. If you can’t, prioritise fast-charging capability and a strong public network around your routes.

Look Beyond the Price Tag

Remember that the total cost of ownership matters more than the sticker price! EVs usually cost less to run thanks to cheaper energy per kilometre and lower maintenance, no oil changes and gentler brake wear thanks to regeneration. Finance, insurance, home-charger installation and tariffs all feed into the real monthly cost. Ask for a like-for-like comparison versus the petrol model you’re replacing and in many cases the electric vehicle will win over a three to four year period.

Get Comfortable with Charging

Charging is where confidence comes from, so get the basics right. A home wallbox on a night-rate plan is the game-changer and you can wake up full every day for a fraction of the price of public rapid charging. If you rent or live in an apartment, check for landlord or management-company approval and whether grants apply. For road trips, look at 10-80% DC times and the car’s peak charging speed, but also how long it holds that speed because some cars “spike and fade,” others charge strongly throughout.

Focus on the Tech that Matters to You

It’s easy to get caught up in all of the tech that comes with modern EVs. Focus on the features that will make your daily drive better. A heat pump helps winter efficiency. Native Google or Apple integration keeps navigation and charging apps simple. Over-the-air updates can add features later. Be sure to sit in the car and check visibility, seat comfort and the physical climate controls that can matter more than an extra speaker or an exotic trim.

Test Drive like you Live

Finally, test drive the car the same way you drive your current one. Try a bit of motorway, a crowded car park, and a back road. Use one-pedal driving to see if it suits you. Check the boot floor height, rear-seat space (especially with taller passengers), and whether the cable storage makes sense. If range is a concern, borrow or rent the model for a weekend and live with it, in our experience, any range anxiety usually fades by day two! If you’re ready to take the next step, you can book a test drive directly through Nevo and explore Ireland’s full range of electric vehicles.

Beginner’s Checklist

1. Range: does the usable range cover your week plus a buffer for winter?

2. Charging plan: home wallbox approved, grant checked, night-rate tariff chosen, backup public chargers mapped.

3. Fast charging: know the 10–80% time, reliable network on your common routes, payment app set up.

4. Running costs: energy tariff vs fuel, servicing schedule, tyres, insurance and residual value estimates.

5. Comfort and space: seat and steering adjustment, rear legroom and headroom, ISOFIX points, boot shape and cable storage.

6. Winter readiness: heat pump, pre-conditioning via app, heated seats or steering wheel to save range.

7. Tech that helps: seamless phone integration via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, simple infotainment, clear driver display, useful driver aids.

8. Warranty and support: battery and vehicle cover length, roadside assistance, dealer proximity, over-the-air updates.

9. Test drive: city, motorway, parking and bumpy roads. Try using the regen or one-pedal driving and check noise levels.

10. Future proofing: charging standard, tow rating or roof-rack needs, bidirectional features if you plan home energy use.

The Bottom Line

Choose an EV that suits your everyday routine but can still take you on those bigger journeys a few times a year. Get that balance right, and your first electric car will be one you love driving every day. New to EVs? Our EV Education page has everything you need to get started with confidence.