The 8 EV myths everyone should stop believing

Myth #1: Electric vehicles can’t travel far enough

One of the most outdated myths of all is that EVs are limited in their range. While range was a concern for some a few years ago, advances in technology, rapidly falling costs and greater investment mean when it comes to distance, EVs have few limitations.

The reality:

• Most drivers can get where they need in an electric car because 99% of car journeys in England are under 100 miles
• If you’re travelling further, there are over 30 models that have a 200-plus mile range
• Many new electric cars can now travel over 300 miles before needing to charge
• A recent study showed that the UK now has more rapid chargers every 100 miles of main roads than any country in Europe
• Industry statistics show there are now over 44,000 public chargepoints available across the UK, of which nearly 8,000 are either rapid or ultra rapid (June 2023)
• Lastly, it’s worth remembering that public charge stations are supplementary to the more convenient home charging

Still worried about range for your commercial fleet? Read our article for the latest on batteries, charging and range.

Myth #2: Electric vehicles are too expensive

The environmental benefits of EVs can’t be ignored, but what about their price? Another common misconception about EVs is that they’re too expensive. While there can be an initial upfront investment, looking at the total cost of ownership (TCO) actually makes them cheaper than many of the standard internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

The reality:

• EVs do cost more to buy, but their running costs are typically less than petrol and diesel cars
• EV journeys cost as little as 8p a mile for off-peak electricity
• Production costs are reducing – by the mid to late 2020s, EVs may cost the same to buy as petrol or diesel cars
• Some EV manufacturers such as Tesla offer “dynamic pricing” in different markets, whereby they’ll reduce the cost of some models by up to 20% - worth thousands

Find out more about grants, subsidies, and incentives for your commercial electric fleet.

Myth #3: EV batteries need replacing every 5 years

We’ve read plenty of headlines putting EV batteries under scrutiny, with claims they need to be replaced as often as every five years. This couldn’t be further from the truth, with most EVs currently on the market having an eight to ten year warranty.

The reality:

• Most electric vehicle batteries have warranties of around five to eight years, but are expected to last much longer
• New batteries’ lifespans are continually improving

And when your EV battery does reach the end of its life, it can be repurposed and re-used in a second life – in renewable energy storage, for example. Find out more about batteries and renewable energy storage.

Myth #4: EV batteries are unsustainable and end up in landfill

Many question how ‘green’ EVs truly are - and rightly so. The materials used in batteries raise some environmental concerns; right from the raw materials used, through to production and end use. The fact of the matter is, laws ban the disposal of batteries in landfill, plus there are lots of uses for batteries beyond their life in an EV. Plus, manufacturers and Governments are actively addressing these concerns with stricter regulations and transparency.

The reality:

• The UK is part of international efforts to secure a transparent, sustainable, and ethical supply of EV battery materials
• Existing regulations ban the disposal of EV batteries to landfill and incineration
• Battery producers are obliged to take back EV batteries free of charge and ensure they are recycled according to regulatory standards – given the scarcity and price of battery materials, it’s actually in industry’s commercial best interest to recycle and reuse

Find out more about the sustainability of commercial EV fleets.

Myth #5: It takes too long to charge an electric vehicle

One of the most noticeable differences between an EV and an ICE is the time it takes to refuel. And while it can take longer to refuel an EV, some basic pre-planning can mitigate the impact on your operations.

The reality:

• Most charging is done at or near drivers’ homes overnight
• With access to a rapid charger (100kW), new cars can typically travel 120 miles on just a 20-minute charge
• Charging speeds have increased by a factor of five in the past few years as engineers have started to focus on EVs as the future of transport

While refuelling isn’t yet done at the same pace as filling up a petrol tank, EV fleets can be built and installed to suit your business operations – maximising cost and operational efficiency.

Myth #6: The electricity grid won’t be able to cope if everyone switches to electric cars

How will the grid cope with all this extra demand? The UK energy grid is undergoing a huge shift right now, and the adoption of EVs is just one part of it. EVs will increase demand, but extensive plans are in place to balance supply and demand.

The reality:

• The Committee on Climate Change suggests that electrifying all vehicles could mean road transport will comprise up to 15% to 20% of total electricity demand in 2050
• The Government believes the grid will be able to cope if changes to the infrastructure are delivered on time
• That said, smart charging reduces the need for new infrastructure, so EVs could bring benefits through technologies such as vehicle to grid charging

Find out more about the smart grid.

Myth #7: The electricity used to charge EVs is created by burning fossil fuels, so there are still emissions involved

As we move towards our net zero targets, more and more of our electricity now comes from renewable, green or clean energy sources. The Government continues to support the deployment of low carbon and renewable technologies to deliver a cleaner greener system, so while emissions are still involved, EVs are a far better alternative to ICE.

The reality:

• Since 1990, we‘ve reduced greenhouse gas emissions in our electricity system by over 70%.
• Plans could see 95% of our electricity come from low carbon sources by 2030. By 2035, all our electricity will come from low carbon sources, subject to security of supply, meaning EVs will continue to become less carbon intensive

Myth #8: EVs break down more than normal cars

There's a massive misconception that EVs are more prone to breaking down. In actual fact, there are no suggestions that electric cars breakdown more frequently than their combustion engine alternatives.

The reality:

• Electric cars are actually shown to break down less than combustion vehicles, as they have fewer moving parts.
• They also require less maintenance, fewer fluids and their brake systems generally last longer due to regenerative braking.

Find out more

Whether you’re a fleet, facilities, or energy manager, we can support your journey to a more electric future. To learn more about our end-to-end electrification offering - including My Electric Vehicles - get in touch.