Electric vehicles, like every new piece of technology that enters the market have their sceptics. Today’s electric vehicles are more technologically advanced than those that first appeared on the market 5 to 10 years ago. However, the drawbacks that EV’s initially carried are still recognised as red flags despite advances in infrastructure and technology.
Notwithstanding the addition of forceful critiques, the switch to an electric vehicle can be frightening enough for some drivers. So, we are here to set the record straight on the circulating, demoralizing myths.
Myth 1
‘Electric vehicles are too expensive’
Yes, electric vehicles can be more expensive to buy than their ICE counterpart. Ownership costs however, portray another picture. For every 1000 miles driven, an electric vehicle can save £176 in operating expenses, according to latest industry figures. Additionally, because electric cars have far fewer parts, they require far less maintenance and attention.
Furthermore, there are tax benefits available for owners of electric cars such as zero road tax and attractive company car tax rates that can save some drivers up to £2000 a year. To put it in a nutshell, the higher costs of buying an EV are offset by low ownership cost and tax advantages.
Myth 2
‘The battery on my electric car will need replacing within 2-5 years’
Although many people regard this myth as true, it is one that is far from the truth. Of course, all electric vehicles have different life expectancies, depending on the battery within it. However, the average electric vehicle has a warranty of a bout 8 years, and as technology advances, so does its lifespan. For example, the warranty the brand new MG ZS EV is 8 years. In order to further research and enhance the battery life of electric cars, the UK government has also pledged £330 million to the Faraday Battery Challenge, which should ultimately indicate that the durability will only increase. In that case… the ever growing longevity of electric vehicles make them far more reliable with every new model.
Myth 3
‘I won’t be able to drive my electric car in the rain, nor will I be able to charge it in the rain’
Just like any vehicle that enters the roads, Electric vehicles have tough technical & safety regulations that must be followed before they hit the market. In this case, these regulations govern crash and electrical safety of the vehicles. This means that they are safe to charge and to drive in a wide range of weather conditions(In fact, Models like the Tesla Model S and Volvo XC40 recharge have received the highest safety rating from the Global NCAP). All vehicles come with manufacturer’s instructions for owners on safe charging . Always check the charging wire for damage prior to ensure effective and secure charging. To summarize, electric vehicles are perfectly safe to use in a range of extreme weather conditions.
Myth 4
‘Long journeys are unrealistic in electric vehicles’
Range anxiety is one of the biggest barriers to mass electric vehicle adoption. “What if I run our of charge and there is no public charger near me?” It is true that long journeys in an EV require a bit of planning. You need to check for charging stations along your route. In some cases you even need to identify backup charging stations. Luckily, with the advancements in infotainment technology, most cars do all of the planning for you. When you enter a destination into the satnav, the car will recommend suggested stops, charge status of your car when reach these charging points and yes even information on the type of chargers and their status. That’s one less thing to worry about.
According to the national travel survey carried out in 2020, the majority of trips in cars are relatively short with 71% of journeys staying under 5 miles and 25% of journeys under 1. One of Europe’s most extensive rapid charging networks is found in the UK. In the UK, there are more than 31,000 public charging stations, more than 5,800 of which are rapid chargers. The road network in the UK is getting 600 more chargers every month. Today, everywhere on England’s motorways and A-roads, a driver is never more than 25 miles from a charging station.
There are also many techniques that help when it comes to saving battery life such as avoiding unnecessary high speeds, anticipating the road ahead to maximise regenerative breaking and travelling light – less weight on the car increases battery life.
To sum it up, travelling cross country in an EV might not be as convenient as an ICE engine car, but you would be surprised what can be achieved with an EV with a bit of planning.
Myth 5
‘It wouldn’t be possible to buy or sell used electric cars’
The used EV market is staring to flourish as much as any petrol/diesel car market. The supply chain issues in the automotive industry have made it difficult to buy a new car. Some customers have reported that they have been able to get either the same price or more than the retail price for their year old EVs.
The Nissan leaf was one of the very first EVs you could buy in the UK. It had a very small battery pack (24KWH) and was expensive to buy given its size. However, according to an experiment conducted by Autotrader, You can buy a 2012 Nissan leaf for around £5000 and continue using it without any issues with the batteries or motors. Like any petrol/diesel powered car, the used car market for EVs will keep growing. In fact, according to CarWow, electric cars hold around 48.9% of their value after three years or 36,000 miles. So, you can be rest assured that your EV will have a buyer 5 years down the line.
