Electric Vehicles: Myths Vs Reality
As part of the Government’s ten-point plan for a ‘green industrial revolution’, the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles will be banned in the UK by 2030.
If you aren’t quite sure about making the switch to an electric vehicle just yet, there’s a chance you may have heard some misconceptions. We’re here to separate fact from fiction and dispel these common electric vehicle myths.
Read on to learn more, or check out our Electric Vehicle Hub.
Myth 1: An EV won’t meet my needs in terms of range
Thanks to advances in battery technology, you can now realistically expect a range of between 100 - 300 miles in a standard, fully charged electric vehicle (with many premium models providing an increased range). The average UK car journey length is 8.4 miles, which suggests that most drivers will easily be able to get from A to B in an EV. From short commutes to longer journeys, electric vehicles should be more than capable of meeting your everyday needs.
Myth 2: I don’t have a driveway so can’t easily charge an EV
Around 6.6 million households in the UK don’t have access to a private parking spot or off-street parking – but this doesn’t need to be an obstacle to getting an electric vehicle.
There are still a number of convenient ways that you can charge up, without your own wallbox:
- Public chargepoints: you can access over 42,000 public chargepoint connectors across the UK when you're out and about.
- Workplace charging: the Government’s Workplace Charging Scheme provides businesses, charities and public sector organisations with financial support towards the cost of buying and installing electric chargepoints.
- On-street charging: if on-street charging isn’t already in place in your area, your local authority may be in the process of arranging this through the Government’s On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS). This could entail chargepoints being fitted to lamp posts, points that retract into the pavements, or simply, free-standing units if there’s space.
Myth 3: There aren’t enough public chargepoints available
There are over 42,000 chargepoint connectors available for public use across the UK – a number which is continually on the rise.
These chargepoints cover 15,500 locations, and all regions of the UK have seen an increase in provision in the last few years.
Most new electric vehicles come fitted with technology in their navigation systems that can direct you to your nearest chargepoint. Smartphone apps like Zap Map are also available to help with this when you’re out and about, and you can also use our interactive map on our Electric Vehicle Hub to search for your nearest charging station.
Myth 4: An EV will take too long to charge
Many EV owners can take advantage of home charging, which means the vehicle can be topped up when not in use e.g., overnight. Similarly, if your workplace has chargepoints installed, you can charge up whilst you work – in which case you probably won’t even notice the time it takes.
It’s no secret that charging an EV does take longer than filling up at the pumps, but with the onset of rapid charging (using 50kW to up to 350kW) many EV batteries can be topped from 10 - 80% in as little as 30 minutes. This will allow you time to take a short break from driving, which is always a good idea when travelling longer distances.
Myth 5: EVs are too expensive
Electric vehicles do typically have a higher upfront cost than vehicles with an internal combustion engine, however, you are likely to recoup these costs in the long run. You’ll benefit from:
- Road tax savings: EVs are exempt from road tax, so you won’t have to pay anything. Please note, that you will still need to tax your vehicle, even though you will have nothing to pay.
- Reduced maintenance costs: there are fewer moving parts in an electric motor compared to an internal combustion engine, therefore EVs should have reduced maintenance costs compared to petrol and diesel vehicles.
- Unrestricted urban access: when travelling in an electric vehicle you won’t have to worry about any Clean Air Zone or Low Emission Zone charges. These areas are becoming more common across UK cities.
Myth 6: EVs aren’t safe to be driven or charged when it’s raining, or go through a carwash
All EVs are manufactured with strict safety standards in place. They undergo thorough testing to ensure they are watertight, and batteries and electric motors must be well insulated. This means they are safe to drive and charge in the rain and can go through carwashes.
Myth 7: EVs feel like golf buggies to drive
Electric vehicles are fun to drive! Instant torque provided by the electric motor means they have a speedy acceleration. With no gears to worry about, they are smooth to drive, and no engine noise means they are a lot quieter too – this makes for a refined driving experience.
Myth 8: The technology around EVs is confusing
Many people believe that there are too many charging apps to contend with. However, plenty of public charging stations allow you guest access which means you can pay via contactless, or by using a dedicated charging card.
For chargepoints that do require you to download a specific app, the Government is currently working on a mandate to ensure that in time, customers will be able to pay without having to download a new app each time.
Myth 9: EVs create more emissions than they save
It has been proven that electric vehicles have a lower carbon footprint than ICE vehicles over the course of their lifetimes. Recent research that investigated vehicle production, use, fuel and electricity consumption, and end of life concluded that a new battery-electric car produces one-third of the lifetime greenhouse gas emissions of a new petrol car.
As electricity generation in the UK continues to be decarbonised, charging stations will increasingly be powered by renewable sources, which in turn will make the lifespan of electric vehicles even cleaner.
Myth 10: EV batteries don’t last long and will end up in landfill
The majority of EV batteries are given an 8-year or 100,000-mile warranty by their manufacturer – and experts believe they will actually last a lot longer than this.
Once an EV battery is finished, it is likely to be recycled rather than going to landfill. With the technological developments made in recent years, processing centres are now able to extract up to 90% of battery materials for recycling or reuse.
So, now you know a little more about common EV misconceptions, it’s time to embrace the electric revolution!
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