Electric vehicles (EVs) are the future, yet common misunderstandings are proving hard to shake off.
With the help of Professor Peter Wells, Professor of Business and Sustainability at Cardiff University and Director of the Centre for Automotive Industry Research, we fact-check misconceptions about range to misplaced health and safety concerns.
Below are 12 common EV myths and the truth.
Myth 1: EVs aren’t good for long distances
Context matters when it comes to EVs and their mileage ranges.
The table below shows the average ranges of a few popular EVs from the EV database, ranging from top-of-the-range to mid-range:
Make and model | Average range (miles) |
Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+ | 425 |
BMW i7 eDrive50 | 325 |
Volkswagen ID7 Pro | 290 |
Tesla Model 3 | 260 |
Mini Countryman E | 235 |
Tesla Model Y | 215 |
Fiat 600e | 195 |
Nissan Leaf | 145 |
A fully charged EV, on average, has less range than a petrol car with mid-priced EVs offering about 200 miles on one full charge.
The average car travels around 28 miles per day for the first three years, so 200 miles is more than enough for most drivers.
For the average Brit, charging the car once a week is enough.
According to the EV Database’s table of EV ranges, the average range for your typical EV in real-world conditions is 219 miles.
This is significantly less than the range for a typical 10-15-gallon petrol tank, but it’s unlikely that the average driver will be covering hundreds of miles daily.
As reported by Car Analytics, the average person drives 20 miles a day and 142 miles a week in the UK.
This daily figure is just a fraction of a typical EV’s range, so if you travel a fairly average distance every day, you won’t have to worry about running out of charge if you charge overnight.
Also, batteries and infrastructure are improving, leading to better ranges and performance.
Myth 2: Electric cars are too expensive
If you look at the total cost of ownership, an EV's running costs are much cheaper.
Pure electric cars may have higher upfront purchase costs than their petrol and diesel equivalents.
But a small perk here is that EV owners in the UK are currently exempt from paying road tax until April 2025. However, after that, the normal rate of road tax will apply.
Also, maintenance costs are generally less because there are fewer moving parts, which means less can go wrong.
Electric vehicles don’t need oil, have longer service schedules and benefit from reduced wear and tear on key items such as brake pads and discs due to regenerative braking systems.
Our car journey calculator, too, can show how much you can save on your daily commute by switching to an EV.
Myth 3: You need specialist insurance
Most insurers offer cover for EVs. Sometimes it’s a specialist product, other times it isn’t.
Our electric car insurance includes everything you’d get in the usual car insurance cover with the addition of:
- charging cable cover
- battery cover
- wallbox cover
- out of charge recovery
Myth 4: EVs use more energy when the weather’s cold
This is a myth and a truth at the same time.
An EV battery is a chemical device, and chemical reactions are usually faster when the temperatures are higher.
Batteries are slower in cold weather, meaning EVs can take longer to heat up. This doesn’t mean they use more energy when cold.
Just because something takes longer to turn on doesn’t mean it uses more energy.
Petrol or diesel cars heat up faster but are actually less efficient. This is because they produce more waste heat.
It’s worth bearing in mind that Norway has the highest market share of new EVs where cold weather driving is hardly the exception.
Myth 5: Using heating/air con/wipers/radio drains your battery quicker
Yes and no. Your radio and wipers won’t drain your battery quicker, but heating and air-conditioning will.
The same goes for petrol and diesel cars, as using the air conditioning can increase fuel consumption.
So EVs aren’t unique in this respect. It’s more noticeable in an EV because the indicated available range will fall.
However, many EVs include an eco-mode to reduce acceleration and makes braking more efficient meaning you can heat your car and use other systems without draining the battery quickly.
It’s worth noting that, like petrol and diesel cars, EVs can only start up via their 12V battery, not the higher capacity battery they use for driving. So, it’s this smaller battery that’s responsible for starting your car.
Myth 6: EVs lose charge if you don’t use them
This is technically true, but it isn’t a significant amount.
EVs lose around 1-3% of capacity every year (as stated by the University of Bath), which is less than initial expectations.
So, if you buy a used EV, check the remaining battery capacity when buying one. If the battery capacity falls below 70% of the original capacity, it’s no longer suitable.
To prevent charge loss when not in use, you should:
- charge the car to between 50% and 80% capacity
- put the car in “deep sleep” or hibernation mode
Also remember to store EVs away from extreme heat and cold as this can impact the battery’s lifespan.
Many manufacturers also offer a battery warranty, so make sure you check this before buying.
Myth 7: EVs aren’t powerful enough to tow trailers and caravans
EVs aren’t tested or approved for towing. However, technically, EVs can tow trailers and caravans, just like petrol and diesel cars. All EVs are automatic, so full torque is available from standstill.
Manufacturers don't test EVs for towing as it substantially reduces range, and even with large EVs with big batteries, the available distance falls off rapidly.
But the same goes for petrol or diesel cars and fuel consumption.
Additionally, the extra weight from towed items increases the demands on the regenerative braking system, which could lead to damage.
Myth 8: There isn't enough power in the grid to charge every EV
There’s currently enough supply for every EV vehicle, but demand and capacity can change.
It was reported by Statista that, by 2028, over 570,000 EVs will have been sold in the UK.
However, the UK is already expecting higher electricity demand as we all switch to more electricity-based appliances, such as induction hobs and heat pumps.
But with around 80% of EV owners charging their vehicles at home (according to WhatCar), you can choose to charge your EV when electricity demand from the grid is lower, aka non-peak hours.
This means suppliers can smooth the demand into existing capacity and avoid bottlenecks without needing new sources of electricity.
EVs can also store energy to sell back to the electric grid, which makes them even more energy efficient.
Myth 9: It's not safe to drive an EV in the rain or through a car wash
There's no extra risk compared with driving a petrol or diesel fuelled car.
However, as with fears over using a car wash or driving through puddles, there’s no need to worry.
Electric vehicles' battery packs and electrical systems are sealed and isolated, meaning they’re protected from the elements.
Plus, EVs must undergo the same rigorous safety and crash testing as any conventionally fuelled vehicle.
Myth 10: Charging EVs can cause explosions or fires
A major study in the US found fire risk from EV charging is comparable to or lower than when putting petrol in a car.
Similarly, there are a few reported incidents of battery fires after a collision, but generally, occupants are safe in an EV.
What to do if you experience an EV battery explosion
Contact the emergency services as soon as you notice a battery fire, explosion or leak.
If charging at home, your home’s electricity system should cut off if your EV catches fire. But if the car parks near the house, there’s a clear risk of the fire spreading from the car to the house.
It’s not advised for EV owners to attempt to extinguish a fire themselves. Battery fire is difficult to handle. Let it burn out; you can't extinguish it at home.
You shouldn't drive with a damaged battery, either. Place all EV batteries no longer in use in safe containers for storage and transport.
Myth 11: Electric car batteries take too long to charge
This isn't true. Rapid chargers can add as much as 80% of charge in as little as 30 minutes.
Some car chargers are more powerful than others. For instance:
- 7kW (most commonly found in homes) is best for an overnight charge
- 22kW (usually found in supermarkets and shopping centres) is good for a top-up
- 50kW/100kW/150kW are the best options on a journey
For instance, the affordable MG ZS EV (which has a 163-mile range) takes approximately 40 minutes to achieve an 80% charge from zero using a 50kW DC public charge point.
Meanwhile, a 100kW rapid DC charging point will deliver up to 78 miles of range from just 15 minutes if you own a Jaguar I-Pace.
Myth 12: EVs are too heavy for multi-storey car parks
EVs aren’t too heavy for multi-storey car parks.
These structures, like roads and bridges, are built to withstand much greater loads than even the heaviest EV.
On average, an EV weighs 200-300kg more than a petrol car because of the weight of the battery and electric motors. However, a large petrol or diesel car weighs more than an average-sized EV.
Gareth Herincx
Motoring journalist
I'm an experienced journalist, digital editor and copywriter, now specialising in motoring. I’m editor of Automotive Blog and have worked across the media in newspapers, magazines, TV, teletext, radio and online for household names including the BBC, GMTV, ITV and MSN. I’ve produced digital content in the financial sector for Lloyds Bank, Nationwide and the Money Advice Service. I'm married with two children and live near Bath in Somerset.
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