MYTH BUSTING 101
Any technological leap is scary, so it’s only natural to be a little nervous about switching to an electric vehicle. After all, petrol and diesel engines have long been the norm for most of us. So with this in mind, it’s time for a little myth busting. But before we separate the facts from the fake news, let’s start with a few stats about electric vehicles in the UK.
fully electric cars on UK roads
plug-in electric cars on UK roads
electric vans on UK roads
public charging points
unique charging locations
rapid/ultra-rapid charging points
average price to charge in public (slow/fast charger)
Source for stats: https://www.zap-map.com/ev-stats
Common Myths and their truths
Fake news:
Electric vehicles have a limited range and aren’t up to long trips.
Electric vehicles have a limited range and aren’t up to long trips.
The truth:
Range anxiety is fast becoming a thing of the past, with many modern EVs able to travel over 200 miles on a single charge. That’s the equivalent of driving from London to Manchester.
Range anxiety is fast becoming a thing of the past, with many modern EVs able to travel over 200 miles on a single charge. That’s the equivalent of driving from London to Manchester.
Fake news:
Finding public charging stations is like searching for Bigfoot.
Finding public charging stations is like searching for Bigfoot.
The truth:
It may have been true in the past, but charging infrastructure is rapidly expanding with hundreds of new charging points popping up weekly. There’s also a bunch of handy sources like Zapmap to help you find one in a hurry.
It may have been true in the past, but charging infrastructure is rapidly expanding with hundreds of new charging points popping up weekly. There’s also a bunch of handy sources like Zapmap to help you find one in a hurry.
Fake news:
Charging an EV is painfully slow and inconvenient.
Charging an EV is painfully slow and inconvenient.
The truth:
When using a fast charger, most EVs can be charged to 80% capacity in 30 just minutes. While home charging stations are perfect for topping up overnight as you sleep easy knowing you’re playing your part for the planet.
When using a fast charger, most EVs can be charged to 80% capacity in 30 just minutes. While home charging stations are perfect for topping up overnight as you sleep easy knowing you’re playing your part for the planet.
Fake news:
Electric vehicles are way pricier than traditional ones.
Electric vehicles are way pricier than traditional ones.
The truth:
While the upfront cost may be higher, government incentives and significantly lower running costs make EVs rewardingly cost-competitive over time.
While the upfront cost may be higher, government incentives and significantly lower running costs make EVs rewardingly cost-competitive over time.
Fake news:
EV batteries have a super short lifespan and are expensive to replace.
EV batteries have a super short lifespan and are expensive to replace.
The truth:
Most EV manufacturers offer warranties for their batteries to protect you from any nasty surprises, and with proper care battery degradation is gradual and manageable.
Most EV manufacturers offer warranties for their batteries to protect you from any nasty surprises, and with proper care battery degradation is gradual and manageable.
Fake news:
There’s only a handful of models available on the market.
There’s only a handful of models available on the market.
The truth:
The world’s leading automakers are increasingly developing EVs in all shapes and sizes.Sedans, SUVs, trucks. You name it, they’re developing it.
The world’s leading automakers are increasingly developing EVs in all shapes and sizes.Sedans, SUVs, trucks. You name it, they’re developing it.
Fake news:
EVs are slow and lack power.
EVs are slow and lack power.
The truth:
Electric motors provide instant torque, which makes them impressively quick off the line. In fact, many EVs can outperform their gas-powered peers when it comes to acceleration.
Electric motors provide instant torque, which makes them impressively quick off the line. In fact, many EVs can outperform their gas-powered peers when it comes to acceleration.
Fake news:
EVs can’t be charged in wet weather.
EVs can’t be charged in wet weather.
The truth:
It’s understandable to think water and electricity aren’t the best of friends, but due to a host of rigid safety requirements you can be confident charging is completely safe when it’s pouring it down.
It’s understandable to think water and electricity aren’t the best of friends, but due to a host of rigid safety requirements you can be confident charging is completely safe when it’s pouring it down.
Fake news:
EVs can’t handle cold weather.
EVs can’t handle cold weather.
The truth:
While severe cold weather can affect battery range, most modern EVs are more than equipped to handle Mother Nature’s worst thanks to a host of features that let you pre-condition the cabin before setting off.
While severe cold weather can affect battery range, most modern EVs are more than equipped to handle Mother Nature’s worst thanks to a host of features that let you pre-condition the cabin before setting off.
Fake news:
Maintenance costs can really add up.
Maintenance costs can really add up.
The truth:
EVs have fewer moving parts than traditional vehicles, resulting in lower maintenance costs. Oil changes are a thing of the past, plus brake wear is reduced thanks to regenerative braking.
EVs have fewer moving parts than traditional vehicles, resulting in lower maintenance costs. Oil changes are a thing of the past, plus brake wear is reduced thanks to regenerative braking.
Fake news:
There’s a higher risk of an EV catching fire.
There’s a higher risk of an EV catching fire.
The truth:
Whether it’s electric, petrol or diesel, the reality is any car can catch fire. However thanks to their extensive range of safety features, EVs are statistically less likely to catch fire than gas-powered vehicles.
Whether it’s electric, petrol or diesel, the reality is any car can catch fire. However thanks to their extensive range of safety features, EVs are statistically less likely to catch fire than gas-powered vehicles.
Fake news:
EVs aren’t really eco-friendly as the electricity they use comes from fossil fuels.
EVs aren’t really eco-friendly as the electricity they use comes from fossil fuels.
The truth:
While it’s true the grid is primarily powered by fossil fuels, EVs still have a smaller carbon footprint than their petrol and diesel rivals as they produce fewer emissions. And as the grid becomes cleaner, EVs become even greener.
While it’s true the grid is primarily powered by fossil fuels, EVs still have a smaller carbon footprint than their petrol and diesel rivals as they produce fewer emissions. And as the grid becomes cleaner, EVs become even greener.