EV Myths Debunked

Electric cars are everywhere these days, but there are still a lot of myths floating around that might be putting you off making the switch. Range anxiety, battery life, and no chargers are available...we've gone through the myths to see how true they are.

Myth 1: EVs don't have enough range 

The Reality: Unless you're driving 25,000 miles a year, going up and down the country, this shouldn't be a concern. Most EVs give you 250-300 miles on a single charge, but some are closer to 400 – and this is changing every day. The average UK driver only does about 20 miles a day, so most EV owners are charging just once or twice a week. I've had my EV for a while now, and with 300 miles of range, I rarely think about charging except for longer trips.  

Myth 2: Charging Takes Too Long

The Reality: This really depends on how you're charging. If you've got a home charger, then you can plug it in overnight and wake up to a fully charged car. If you are using public chargers, it's going to take you around 30 minutes to get to 80% charge. That's just enough time to grab a coffee and use the loo. With a home charger and an EV tariff, I'm paying just £6-7 for a full charge that gives me 300 miles - try getting that value at a petrol station!  

Myth 3: We don't have the infrastructure

The Reality: We've got over 50,000 chargers in the UK and there are more popping up every day – you'll probably find one in your local supermarket soon (if not already), in carparks, McDonald's, etc. In reality, this is enough for 99% of EV drivers, especially if you have a home charger.

Myth 4: EVs are expensive

The Reality: The cash price of an EV is probably more than its equivalent petrol or diesel car – but you're probably not going to pay cash. Plus, you need to consider the savings start piling up as soon as you drive away:

• Electricity is way cheaper than petrol or diesel (as I mentioned, £6-7 for 300 miles in my case)

• Fewer moving parts means fewer things to fix

• No congestion or emission zone charges

• Some car parks even offer free charging while you shop!

Plus, there is always a good EV lease deal which saves you paying loads up front and having to deal with the depreciation.

Myth 5: EV batteries will lose performance and die quickly

The Reality: Most EV Batteries come with an 8-year or 100,000-mile warranty, and real-world data shows they're holding up really well. Think about it - your mobile phone battery might start struggling after two years, but EV batteries are a whole different ballgame. Plus, if you lease or finance one, chances are you'll be changing for a new one every few years.

Myth 6: EVs are a dull drive

The Reality: This is some truth to this. I've got an Audi e-Tron GT and I do miss the sound of an engine or when the gears change. That said, it is SO fast and instant, which makes it very fun in its own way. Plus, it is unlikely you're looking at an EV for that reason. They're smooth, quiet, and many handle better than petrol cars because of the low centre of gravity. One of my favourite features is being able to heat up the car before getting in on cold mornings - it's a total game-changer in winter!

Quick Answers to Common EV Questions