Electric car myths: what’s the truth about electric cars

The EV market is growing. In 2021, electric car sales doubled from 3 million to 6.6 million in just one year ^[1]. And as the technology develops and drivers become more eco-conscious, this number will rise — especially as more people can now try an electric car before they buy, thanks to car subscriptions.

But despite growing popularity, there are many electric car myths and misconceptions. Go Ultra Low, a UK government-backed campaign, found that there’s a lot of misunderstanding about EVs among the UK public ^[2]. Many people believe electric cars are more expensive and less reliable — but this isn’t the case.

To set the record straight, we’ve uncovered the truth around some of the most common electric car myths. In this article, you’ll learn more about the misconceptions surrounding EVs and find out the facts about driving an electric car. Shall we debunk some EV myths?

Myth #1: There isn’t enough energy to cope with demand if everyone drives an electric car

The energy crisis has hit the headlines recently, feeding rumours that the National Grid will struggle to cope with demand if there are more EV drivers on the roads.

But this isn’t true. In 2018, transport represented less than 2% of global electricity demand, with train travel responsible for two thirds of this amount ^[3]. This proportion is expected to grow to 10% by 2050 — which will still be manageable in the UK.

In addition, electric vehicles can actually supply the grid. If governments invest in utilities and infrastructure to enable controlled vehicle charging, EVs can provide vehicle-to-grid services to support energy supply at peak times ^[4]. So electric cars don’t just sap energy — they also have the potential to return energy to the grid. Learn more about EV energy tariffs.

Myth #2: Electric cars are more expensive than non-EVs

The technology in electric cars is much younger than in non-EVs, which can make them more expensive. Some electric cars — such as Teslas and Polestars — are particularly expensive, as they’re among the most sought-after car brands in the world. 

But operational costs are usually much lower for EVs ^[3]. Electric cars have fewer moving parts than non-EVs, reducing maintenance costs. They’re also typically more efficient, so you’ll get more mileage for your money. This is still true even in the current energy climate.

People believe it costs £21.54 on average to fully charge an EV. But charging at home can actually cost as little as £3.64 ^[2]. These figures were captured before the recent energy price rises, so they may have gone up since then — but it’s still easy to make a saving on fuel costs with an EV.

Petrol and diesel prices are also going up. Reports suggest that charging exclusively at public charging points is now almost as expensive as buying liquid fuel (18p per mile for electric, 19p for petrol, and 21p for diesel) ^[5]. But if you can charge at home, you have much more control over how much you spend on vehicle charging. While petrol and diesel prices are fixed by suppliers, you can often get cheaper electricity rates by charging your car during off-peak hours (overnight is best!). Find out how to save money on your EV.

Myth #3: Electric cars can’t go very far on a single charge

While this may have been true in the early days of electric cars, it’s definitely not the case anymore. Many long-range EVs have massive amounts of mileage in them before you’ll need to recharge. Electric cars with the longest range include:

• Volkswagen ID.3 Tour — up to 340 miles (London to Dumfries)
• Tesla Model S — up to 405 miles (London to Edinburgh)
• Mercedes EQS 450+ — up to 453 miles (Portsmouth to Edinburgh).

Some mid-range cars also have substantial ranges. The Nissan Leaf has a range of up to 239 miles (London to York) and the Kia EV6 can travel up to 316 miles before it needs recharging (London to Newcastle).

99% of car journeys in the UK are less than 100 miles, so EVs are well-equipped to fulfil most drivers’ needs ^[6].

Electric car myth #4: EVs take too long to charge

It’s true that it takes longer to charge an electric car than it does to fill up at the petrol station. But it’s far less time consuming than you might think.

The time it takes to get from empty-to-full varies depending on battery capacity and charging point speed. Charging from a three-point socket at home can take up to 8 hours, while the fastest charging stations can get you up to 80% charge in less than 30 minutes ^[7]. And most drivers tend to top up their charge, rather than going from empty-to-full.

Companies are also developing fast-charging batteries that can reach 80% of charge in less than 15 minutes ^[3]. Learn more about how long it takes to charge an electric car.

Myth #5: People in rural areas won’t have access to enough charging points

The average UK citizen believes there are 6,000 public charging stations in the UK. In reality, there are almost 17,000 ^[2]. This includes many rapid chargers at service stations around the country. Worldwide, there is one public charger for every ten electric cars ^[3].

While there are fewer public charging stations in rural areas than in towns and cities, there are still more than enough to get by. Plus, only 5% of charging actually takes place at public chargers — most EV drivers charge their vehicles at home and/or work ^[8].

The UK government has also set out a plan and budget for improving the infrastructure for EVs across the country ^[9]. Find an electric car charging point near you!

Myth #6: Electric cars are slower and less reliable than non-EVs

Almost half of those surveyed believe petrol or diesel cars accelerate more quickly than electric cars — but this isn’t the case ^[2]. High-performing electric cars have much better torque than non-EVs, which enables them to deliver far greater horsepower and speed ^[10].

One Norwegian study found that most people who buy an electric car also own a non-EV. But they use their electric car for a large proportion of all trips, suggesting drivers actually prefer the performance of an EV to their traditional car ^[11].

Myth #7: It’s not environmentally friendly to drive an EV, as fossil fuels are used to create them and generate electricity

One of the most common electric car myths is that they’re not actually that good for the environment when you account for vehicle production, generating electricity, and charging the car. And it’s true that fossil fuels are sometimes used in these processes.

But research shows that electric cars are already reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 41% ^[12-14]. Compared with certain non-EVs, electric cars are more energy efficient and create fewer harmful emissions ^[15]:

Producing and decommissioning a non-EV accounts for up to 20% of the car’s cradle-to-grave emissions. In an EV, this can be anywhere from 15-80% — but research shows that higher production emissions are almost always offset by lower operating emissions ^[3].

Widespread grid decarbonisation is needed to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from electric vehicle use. The UK government has already set out a plan to achieve this by 2035 ^{[3, 15]}.

Myth #9: Electric cars are less safe than non-EVs

Certain safety issues have been identified with electric cars, including:

• Highly reactive lithium ion batteries
• Lack of engine noise doesn’t alert pedestrians to their presence
• Risk of electric shock.

But these risks have been tested and addressed extensively. Protective measures including fuses and flame retardants prevent batteries from leaking electrolytes and/or catching fire. Also, despite the risks, researchers report very few serious incidents involving EV lithium ion batteries, despite their widespread use over the last few years ^[16].

It’s up for debate whether lack of engine noise is really a danger. Some reports suggest there’s a heightened risk of pedestrians being involved in a slow-moving collision with EVs than non-EVs. Others suggest the risk is equal ^[16]. Some researchers have advocated creating synthetic engine noise to mitigate this in future ^[17].

Myth #10: You can’t go through a car wash in an electric car

42% of people believe you can’t drive through a car wash in an electric car. And it’s not a myth that electricity and water don’t mix.

But electric cars are waterproof. Just as it’s safe to drive your electric car in the rain, so it’s perfectly safe to drive it through a car wash.

Check out this videos of a Tesla driving through floodwaters as proof:

Myth #11: EVs only work for people who have off-street parking

Off-street parking is definitely a bonus for electric car drivers. You can install a home charger, and even charge your car using a three-pin socket if your cable is long enough.

But it’s still possible to own and charge an electric car if you don’t have a driveway. Some public charge points offer free charging — so while it’s a little less convenient, it can be much cheaper to charge your vehicle away from home. Many electric car apps can show you where to find local and/or free public charging stations. 

Myth #12: It’s not safe to charge an electric car in the rain

It is safe to charge your EV in the rain. All electric car chargers must meet international standards for waterproofing and before they can be used or sold. This is known as the IP rating. 

IP ratings have two numbers. The first shows the protection level against solids like dust. The second shows the protection level against liquids. The waterproofing scale runs from 1-8, with 8 offering the highest level of protection. IP44 chargers are protected against solid objects over 1mm and water splashes. IP67 chargers are fully protected against dust, and can be fully submerged in water.

As long as your charger meets these standards, it’s perfectly safe to charge your electric car in the rain.

Why is there so much misinformation about electric cars?

Electric cars are still relatively new, so people are naturally less trusting of them than the petrol and diesel cars that have been around for so long. And some people just want an excuse to continue driving their gas-guzzler a little longer.

The internet also makes it much easier for electric car myths to spread. There’s some evidence that certain car and fossil fuel companies commission and share articles that favour non-EVs, twisting the facts to spread misinformation ^[18]. It's worth checking our in-depth analysis of the common problems EVs have.

It’s not always easy to separate fact from fiction, especially when it comes to new technology. When making your next driving decision, ensure you have all the facts to make an informed choice.

Is an electric car right for you?

It can take a while to get used to driving an electric car. That’s why electric car subscriptions are so popular. They enable you to test drive an electric car for as long as you like before you commit to buying one. Some car subscription providers, such as EZOO and elmo, specialise in electric cars, so they’re a great place to start.

Now you know the facts about EV driving, check out these 5 good reasons to drive an electric car.