You’ve tracked the ship on an app. You’ve watched every YouTube review. You’ve refreshed your email inbox a thousand times. Finally, the day is here.

It’s Delivery Day.

The excitement of picking up a new car can be blinding. It’s easy to get swept up in the new car smell, sign the papers, and drive off into the sunset. But with an Electric Vehicle (EV), the handover process is critical. Unlike a petrol car where you just check the fuel gauge, an EV is a rolling computer with specific settings, apps, and emergency protocols that you need to understand before you leave the lot.

Don’t be the owner who gets home and realizes they can’t unlock the car with their phone or find the charging cable.

At EV Evolution, we want you to drive away with confidence. Here is your survival guide to the 5 critical questions you must ask the dealer before you sign on the dotted line.

1. “Can we set up my Phone Key right now?”

For modern EVs like the Tesla Model 3/Y and BYD Atto 3/Seal, your smartphone is your primary key. You might think, “I’ll set that up at home.” Do not do this.

Setting up the “Phone Key” often requires:

• Two physical key cards present in the car.
• A strong internet connection (for both phone and car).
• Specific Bluetooth permissions.
• Linking your email account to the car’s VIN in the manufacturer’s backend.

If there is a glitch in the dealer’s system and your account isn’t linked properly, you could get home and find you are locked out of half the car’s features.

• The Ask: “Please walk me through pairing my phone as a key, and let’s test it by locking and unlocking the car without the key card present.”

2. “Is this an LFP or NMC battery, and what is the daily charge limit?”

We’ve talked about battery chemistry before, but delivery day is where the rubber meets the road. Dealers often leave cars on factory settings, which might not match your specific battery type.

• If it’s LFP (e.g., Tesla RWD, BYD, MG4 Excite): The screen should be set to 100%.
• If it’s NMC (e.g., Tesla Long Range, Polestar 2, Kia EV6): The screen should usually be set to 80% for daily driving to preserve health.
• The Ask: “Show me the charging menu on the screen. Is the daily limit set correctly for this specific battery chemistry?”

3. “Where is the Towing Eye and how do I access it?”

EVs are heavy and often have flush, aerodynamic bumpers. If you ever break down or get stuck, a tow truck driver cannot just hook a chain onto the axle. They need to screw a Towing Eye into a specific point in the chassis.

If you don’t know where this point is, you risk damaging the bumper.

• Tesla: It’s usually under the frunk mat, and you have to pop a small plastic circle on the bumper.
• BYD/MG: It’s often in the tyre repair kit in the boot.
• The Ask: “Show me physically where the towing eye is stored, and show me exactly where it screws into the front bumper.”

4. “Show me the manual door release.”

Many EVs (especially Teslas and the new BYD Seal) have electronic door handles. You press a button, and the door pops open.

But what happens if the 12V battery dies and the car has zero power? You are trapped inside.

Every EV has a Manual Door Release—a mechanical latch hidden somewhere in the door panel. In a Tesla, it’s a latch in front of the window switches. In others, it might be hidden inside a storage bin or under a rubber mat.

• The Ask: “If the car loses all power, how do I mechanically open the driver’s door to get out?”

5. “Where is the V2L Adapter and the Portable Charger?”

If your car was advertised with Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability (like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 or BYD Atto 3), the adapter is often a physical loose item.

• The Risk: These expensive adapters ($200-$500) can easily “go missing” during pre-delivery or get left in a desk drawer.
• The Cable: Check that the “Granny Charger” (standard wall plug cable) is actually in the boot. Some manufacturers have started removing them, but if it was on your spec sheet, you are owed one.
• The Ask: “Please show me the V2L adapter and the portable charging cable. I want to see them in the boot before I leave.”

🇦🇺 EV Evolution Angle: The “Fleet Mode” Trap

Here is a specific tip for Australian buyers. Sometimes, dealers forget to mark the car as “Delivered” in their internal system.

If this happens, your app will stay in “Restricted” or “Fleet” mode. You won’t be able to use remote climate control or see the car’s location.

Don’t leave the lot until you see the car status change in your app. If the app says “Configuring” or “Preparation,” do not drive away. Make them fix it on the spot.

🤖 Join the Evolution: Get Your Model-Specific Checklist

A Tesla delivery checklist looks very different from an MG4 checklist. Do you know which panel gaps to check on a Model Y? Do you know how to check the software version on a BYD?

Don’t rely on a generic list.

At EV Evolution, we have compiled detailed Delivery Day Checklists for every major EV sold in Australia, based on real owner feedback and common defects.

Ask the Chatbot today:

• “Give me a Delivery Day Checklist for a 2025 Tesla Model Y RWD.”
• “What items should come included with a new BYD Atto 3 at handover?”
• “How do I check the paint quality on a new MG4?”

About EV Evolution

EV Evolution is the leading online platform dedicated to Australian electric vehicle owners and enthusiasts. We foster a vibrant community, delivering essential EV news and insights, and enhancing user engagement through our innovative, AI-powered chatbot for dynamic discussions. Our mission is to empower Australian electric vehicle owners and enthusiasts by fostering a vibrant, AI-driven online community that connects, informs, and advances the nation’s electric vehicle landscape.