Debunking the Biggest EV Myths

It’s easy to get lost in the sea of information (and misinformation) surrounding electric vehicles (EVs). Many of these myths stem from misconceptions about the technology, the charging process, and the overall impact on daily lives. In fact a recent survey revealed that most petrol or diesel drivers scored just two out of ten on their EV knowledge. No wonder EVs often get a bad rep!

But with well over a million EVs already on UK roads, and billions of battery-only miles driven, we now have real-world data to help you cut through the noise make informed decisions about your next vehicle.

Myth 1: EVs Don’t Work for Van Fleets

The average van travels about 50 miles a day. So long as you have the right overnight charging infrastructure in place, there is more than enough battery power for most drivers’ daily use. Also, while the perception is electric vans can’t carry substantial loads, the reality is most can comfortably carry over a tonne. The new e-Transit Custom for example, has pretty much the same payload as the diesel version.

Myth 2: EV Cars Aren’t Practical for Everyday Drivers

In the UK, a car travels 20 miles per day on average, and overall mileage has been consistently dropping year-on-year. With newer EVs averaging a range of over 200 miles, they’re more than capable of handling the day-to-day driving needs of most people.

Myth 3: EV Batteries Only Last a Few Years

The latest data shows that EV batteries typically degrade at just 1.8% per year, meaning they can easily last 15 to 20 years or more. In fact, most EV batteries come with warranties of around 8 years or 100,000 miles, while the average ICE vehicle warranty is only 5 years or 60,000 miles. Experts estimate that EV batteries can last around 200,000 miles, and some manufacturers are even promising even longer lifespans. And as battery technology continues to advance, we can expect even longer lifespans in the future.

Myth 4: EVs are Too Expensive

While it’s true EVs can have a higher upfront cost than petrol cars, the gap is closing fast. Actually, the new electric Vauxhall Frontera is now available at the same price as the petrol model. And even if the initial cost is slightly higher, this is quickly offset through savings on lower energy costs and reduced maintenance needs. This means EVs actually have a lower total cost of ownership (TCO) comparatively – around 11%.

Myth 5: The Electricity Grid Can’t Handle Demand

The grid is continuously being upgraded to meet increasing energy needs, which the National grid have confirmed. Plus, most EV owners charge their vehicles at night when demand is lower, which not only eases pressure on the grid but also allows for more efficient energy use. So, no need to worry – EVs are not going to plunge us into blackouts.

Myth 6: There Aren’t Enough Chargers

It’s true the infrastructure is still developing, especially in rural areas. However, the number of public charging points in the UK is growing rapidly. By August 2024, there were 68,273 chargers across the country according to Zapmap, including 13,444 rapid or ultra-rapid chargers. This by the way is compared to 8,353 petrol stations! The UK Government’s ZEV Mandate will continue to ensure ongoing investment in charging infrastructure so this will only increase.

Also, the majority EV owners do most of their charging at home, making public chargers less essential for daily use.

Myth 7: EVs Are More Likely to Catch Fire

Contrary to popular belief, EVs are actually less likely to catch fire than petrol or diesel vehicles. Australia’s Department of Defence funded EV FireSafe found there was a 0.0012% chance of a passenger electric vehicle battery catching fire, compared with a 0.1% chance for ICE cars.

Myth 8: EVs Aren’t Good for Long Journeys

While earlier EVs may have had shorter ranges, battery technology has come a long way. Today’s electric cars can comfortably travel over 250 miles on a single charge, and electric vans typically have a range of 150-200 miles, making them suitable for most everyday commutes and daily travel for work. And with over 68,000 charging points across the UK, there’s plenty of places to recharge if you need it. Plus, EVs can suggest charge stops along your route taking the stress and complexity out of it.

Myth 9: Charging an EV Takes Too Long

Most drivers simply plug in overnight, waking up each morning to a fully charged battery. This is means you’ll actually spend less time plugging in than you would filling up a petrol or diesel vehicle! But for the longer journeys, rapid chargers can boost your battery up to 80% in under 30 minutes (depending on the vehicle & charger etc), which is enough charge to continue your journey, so you can save the full power charge for when you’re plugged in overnight.

Myth 10: EVs Are More Expensive to Run

With fewer moving parts compared to petrol or diesel vehicles (about 20 vs nearly 2,000!), EVs generally require less maintenance. They don’t need oil changes, and the brake systems last longer thanks to regenerative braking. The tyres can be more expensive due to the increased load requirements and variance in size, but this is often outweighed by the lower cost of maintenance.

As for fuel costs, research shows running an EV can be up to 80% cheaper than a petrol or diesel! Charging at home can cost as little as 7p per kWh – to put that into perspective it means the average full charge of about £5-6 at home, compared to £50+ for a petrol or diesel.

Myth 11: EVs Are Just as Bad for the Environment as ICE Vehicles

While it’s true that producing an EV initially generates more CO2 than manufacturing an ICE vehicle, mainly due to battery production, this extra carbon footprint is quickly offset once the EV hits the road. In fact, a typical EV can reach ‘carbon parity’ with its petrol counterpart in as little as one year, especially when powered by a cleaner energy grid. Over its lifetime, EVs can emit up to 83% less CO2 than a petrol vehicle. Plus, today’s EV batteries are built to last 15 to 20 years, and after they’ve served their time in a vehicle, they can be repurposed or recycled for energy storage or their valuable minerals. Unlike fossil fuels, which are finite resources, the materials used in EV batteries can be recovered and reused.

Myth 12: I’ll Lose the Use of My Vehicle

The average ICE car is 14 years old, and as the ban on new fossil fuel cars is not until 2030, there will still be petrol & diesel cars on the road well into 2040. Surprisingly, many people believe that the ban on new ICE cars and vans also applies to used vehicles. But the truth is, you can continue to drive your petrol or diesel car for as long as you like.

Conclusion

There’s a lot of misinformation out there about EVs. It’s important to do your own research and talk to real EV owners to get the most accurate information. While EVs may require a slight adjustment to your driving habits, from our own experience the pros outweigh the cons. Our team of experts can help you tailor an EV strategy that aligns with your fleet’s needs. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand your electric fleet, we’re here to help.