INTRODUCTION
When it comes to EVs, there are still a lot of common misconceptions which are holding drivers back from making the switch to electric. The most frequently heard EV myths tend to revolve around concerns over limited range, lack of charging infrastructure and the initial cost of the EV itself.
Despite this, public perceptions are beginning to shift into a more positive light. A study by Kantar found that 22% of UK drivers surveyed said that they planned on buying an EV as their next car, with a further 35% saying they would opt for a hybrid.
So, if you’re one of those drivers thinking of making the switch but are feeling unsure, we’re here to answer your questions and debunk common EV myths.
EV MYTH 1
“EVs are more expensive than fuel cars”
Some potential EV drivers may look at the upfront cost of a new electric car and feel put off. Whilst a brand-new EV will likely cost you more than its fuel equivalent, when you factor in long-term costs, the opposite is true.
The cost of electricity is much lower than that of petrol or diesel, (not to mention less volatile) and the efficiency of Electric Vehicles means that it will cost you less per mile than it would in a petrol or diesel car.
EVs also tend to have lower maintenance costs for the simple fact that they do not have an engine. Fewer moving parts mean that there is less potential for things to go wrong and result in costly repairs. EV drivers are also currently exempt from road tax, as well as Clean Air Zone Fees.
EV MYTH 2
“There are not enough public EV charging stations”
Perhaps one of the most commonly heard EV myths is that the current UK charging infrastructure is simply not ready to cope with the demand of an increased uptake of EVs. Whilst it is understandable to feel nervous about embarking on a long journey in an EV and being unable to find a charger along the way, realistically, range anxiety is becoming a thing of the past. This is thanks to the huge push towards increasing the number of publicly available charging points. In fact, in 2023, there was a 45% increase in public EV chargers across the country compared with the previous year.
Apps such as ZapMap and PodPoint are also useful in helping drivers locate one of the now 64,775 public chargers in the country and plan their routes accordingly.
EV MYTH 3
“EV batteries can’t be recycled and end up in landfill”
An argument that people often use against the sustainability of EVs is that ‘they’re not as environmentally friendly as you think, because their batteries end up in a landfill’. However, this is far from the truth.
EV batteries have an estimated life of around 10-20 years (or 100,000-200,000 miles) despite most coming with a manufacturer warranty of five to eight years. This means that when a new EV is sold, it will be much longer than many think before battery recycling needs to be considered.
When your EV battery eventually needs to be retired, there are many companies working hard to make recycling your battery as easy as possible. 95% of a battery’s components are able to be repurposed, either for new EV batteries or alternative uses.
In the UK, there are also regulations which ban the landfill disposal and incineration of EV batteries. Car manufacturers are also obligated to take back EV batteries free of charge and ensure they are recycled in an environmentally friendly way.
EV MYTH 4
“EVs are slower than fuel cars”
The race between EVs and fuel cars is a hot topic for car enthusiasts, but the winner is not so clear cut. You may have heard people say ‘EVs are quicker but not faster’, but what does that mean?
All EVs use automatic transmission, meaning you do not have to shift through gears while driving. As a result of this, EVs deliver instant torque and can accelerate much quicker than the average manual fuel car.
However, fuel cars usually still have higher top speeds, which may earn their drivers’ bragging rights. But when considering the everyday use of an EV, they are plenty fast enough for legal driving.
EV MYTH 5
“You can’t drive an EV in cold weather”
Although extreme temperatures can affect the battery range of your EV, it is just as possible, and safe, to drive an EV in cold, snowy or icy conditions as it is for a fuel car.
When driving an EV in the winter, the same precautions should be taken, such as driving slower and checking your tyre tread.
The only difference between EVs and fuel cars in winter is that you may see your range decrease slightly in colder temperatures. To avoid this, you should keep your EV in a garage if possible and drive efficiently to preserve your range.
Check out our handy guide for more tips on driving your EV in winter.
EV MYTH 6
“Charging my EV at home will cause my electricity bill to skyrocket”
Whilst this EV charging myth may have some factual basis in that your costs will increase; the truth is that the increase in your electricity bill will likely be far less than you are anticipating.
Home EV charging is the cheapest and most convenient way of charging your car, especially when compared to relying on public chargers. Charging can be made cheaper still by scheduling your charge to take place during off-peak times or by opting for a specific EV charging energy tariff.
EV MYTH 7
“Charging takes too long”
Another common EV charging myth comes from on-the-go drivers who don’t want to wait around to top up their range.
The exact time it will take you to charge your car will depend on both the speed of the charger you are using and the size of your car’s battery. The best way to work out your charge time is using the following equation:
Battery size (kWh) ÷ Charger power (kWh) = Charging time (hours)
If you want to avoid waiting around, charging your EV overnight at home is the best way to do this, so you can wake up ready to go with a full charge.
Alternatively, if you need a quick top up on the go, public DC fast chargers can add up to 80% range to your battery in as little as 20 minutes.
EV MYTH 8
“The grid won’t be able to handle the demand if everyone switches to EV”
Many people are concerned that the National Grid does not have enough electricity, nor the infrastructural capacity, to cope with more EVs on the roads. However, the National Grid themselves have disputed this. They stated that working with the Energy System Operator (ESO) ensures that electricity moves around the country, so we always have enough power where we need it.
It is also important to note that the shift to Electric Vehicles is a gradual change, not something that will happen overnight. This means that the National Grid has been anticipating the changes and are already well underway with preparations for EV travel. These include introducing more electricity generating systems such as wind farms and improving the efficiency of cable networks.
In addition to this, the introduction of smart charging technology, which is present in many modern EV chargers, helps optimise charging to take place at times when demand is lower. This is also known as load balancing.
EV MYTH 9
“Installing an EV charger at home is too expensive”
Another common EV charging myth is that getting a home charger installed, although convenient, is simply too expensive.
Whilst there is an upfront cost involved; by charging your EV at home you will be saving hundreds of pounds per year, compared with public charging. This means the investment will pay itself back in savings after a couple of years.
The actual price of your home charger and installation will vary depending on the type of charger you go for and any complicating factors affecting your installation appointment, such as extra cabling needed.
If you are considering home EV charger installation, you can get a free, no-obligation quote from Yü Charge here.
As part of their net zero targets, the UK government are encouraging more drivers to switch to EV with incentives such as installation grants. To find out more about the help available, you can check out our grant guide or use our free grant checker tool.
EV MYTH 10
“Switching to EV won’t make a difference”
Our final EV myth is a largely debated claim. Although it may be true that EVs alone cannot reverse climate change, that doesn’t mean that they can’t make a significant dent in transport sector emissions. According to Gov.uk, transport is the largest contributing sector when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions and was responsible for 26% of the UK’s annual emissions in 2021.
On an individual basis, drivers wanting to reduce their transport carbon footprint can cut their CO2 emissions by 50-70 percent by switching to all-electric, renewably powered transport.
CONCLUSION
Hopefully our EV myth-busting has helped clear up some misconceptions and left you feeling more confident and informed about switching to greener electric transport.
Want to find out more about EVs? Check out our Yü News page for an extensive range of guides covering all things EV-related.
If you’re ready to make the switch you can find out more about EV charger installation or get a quote, so you can get started on the road to electric transport today.