The internet is awash with electric car myths. Whether it’s misinformation about mileage or spurious safety concerns, it can be difficult to know what to believe.
Worse, they can discourage drivers from making the switch, preventing them from enjoying the life-changing benefits of electric vehicles.
So, with that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of the most common electric car myths. Join us as we dispel them one by one.
No, they’re not. And yet, a vocal minority continues to cite outdated or inaccurate sources in a baffling attempt to discredit electric vehicles.
The truth? Electric cars are built to meet the same stringent design and manufacturing regulations as their conventional counterparts.
You see, all carmakers are required to subject their vehicles to a Euro NCAP assessment (New Car Assessment Program) – including EVs. These rigorous assessments have shown electric vehicles to perform as well as similarly sized petrol and diesel models.
In fact, given that electric vehicles are equipped with sizeable battery packs and need to absorb the increased energy they create in a collision, EV designers have to work harder to ace these assessments.
And that’s before you factor in the solid structures, extensive crumple zones, and multiple airbags you’d expect of any vehicle.
So no, electric cars aren’t dangerous. Next?
There’s literally a twenty-year-old meme about this. (Found on The Simpsons, in case you’re wondering.) In the clip, a doddering electric car bemoans its inability to travel very fast, or very far.
But despite the obvious satire, and more since, the myth that electric cars are sluggish has persisted. Usually in the form of outdated references to milk floats or dodgems.
And it’s categorically untrue. In fact, electric vehicles are often faster than petrol or diesel models. The reason? Torque. When you lean on the accelerator of an electric vehicle instant torque is delivered, allowing for faster acceleration.
In fact, according to GRIDSERVE, readily available electric car models have some of the swiftest acceleration on the market, with the Tesla Model 3 achieving 0 – 60mph in a nippy 3.3 seconds.
So rest assured, leasing an electric car won’t leave you lagging come rush hour.
Despite their ubiquity, there’s still an underlying assumption that electric cars are ultra-expensive luxury vehicles. And, at a glance, there’s some merit to the myth – initial costs do tend to run higher.
But cars are more than just the initial price tag, and once you factor in fuel, maintenance, tax, and insurance, the true picture starts to develop.
For example, statistics published by the i newspaper revealed the jaw-dropping discrepancy of running an EV versus petrol model over a five-year period – an average annual saving of £2,140.
And that’s without factoring in individual make and model prices. EVs such as the ORA 03 or the Nissan LEAF offer reliable-yet-budget friendly entry points to the electric revolution.
There’s at least some logic to this particular electric car myth. As children, we’re taught that electricity is dangerous. But you’re extremely unlikely to get an electric shock from your EV. In fact, you’re more likely to be struck by lightning.
You see, the electrical components of an EV are heavily insulated and buried deep inside the body of the car. Moreover, most electric cars operate between 12 – 48 volts, which is too low to deliver a fatal shock.
So, providing you don’t choose to interfere with your car’s electrical components (and why would you?) you’ll remain safe and un-shocked.
Bonus electric car fact: There’s anecdotal evidence of EVs weathering tsunamis, charging in torrential rain, and even functioning with frayed cables. And you guessed it, no one was shocked.
Not true. Not even slightly. Yet somehow, this myth about electric cars being allergic to the car wash remains many a naysayer’s go-to.
Not unlike our previous entry, the logic seems to run that water plus electricity equals explosion, but in the case of EVs, it doesn’t wash.
Just like regular petrol or diesel vehicles, electric cars are submitted to what’s known as a ‘soak test’. During the test, vehicles are subjected to near-flood level water and examined for any potential leakage.
If they don’t pass that test, they don’t make it to market. It’s as simple as that.
So yes, you can take your electric car through the car wash. And you should. As often as possible. Who doesn’t like that clean car feeling?
As driving perks go, free charging is a gift. Literally.
Ask yourself, can you fill your petrol tank for free at your local supermarket? No, you cannot. And if you try, you’ll likely find yourself being visited by the police.
And still, there’s a common misconception that there’s no such thing as free electric car charging. This likely stems from that most British of ideals – scepticism about freebies.
In reality, there are thousands of free electric car charge points in the UK. They’re usually located at shopping centres, supermarkets, car parks, hotels, and even service stations. (Usually the only free thing at a service station.)
However, it’s important to be mindful of any restrictions on your free charging. It might require an in-store purchase. There might be a time limit on the free juice. Best to ask if you’re unsure.
The easiest way to find your nearest free electric vehicle charging point is to download an EV charge point map.
Our final myth is perhaps the most deceptive of the bunch as it’s built on fact. But, like most myths, it relies on a misinterpretation of that fact.
The logic seems to run that like their smaller counterparts – smartphones and the like – electric car batteries underperform in colder weather. And that is technically true as all car batteries are affected by lower temperatures.
But electric vehicles have an ace in their glovebox.
You see, most modern EVs come equipped with a thermal management system. This ultra-intuitive feature works to regulate the ambient temperature of the vehicle, meaning that all components sit at their optimum temperature.
So, you needn’t worry about your electric car struggling to start on those frosty winter mornings.
This is an outdated view. Early electric cars did have limited ranges, yes. However, advances in battery technology have significantly increased the range of electric cars.
Most EVs can now travel over 200 miles on a single charge, and some premium models can exceed well over 300 miles. Add into the mix rapid charging, which can add up to 80% charge in around 35 minutes (times will vary depending on model), and electric cars certainly don’t have a short range.
While charging an electric car can involve fossil fuel-based electricity, electric cars still have a much lower carbon footprint than combustion-engined cars.
Not only are electric motors much more efficient than combustion engines, but the grid is increasingly shifting towards renewable energy sources like solar and wind, which further reduces the carbon footprint of charging an EV.
Although there’s no denying that electric cars are great for city driving, they are also suitable for motorway and long-distance driving. There are various electric cars on the market that are perfect for long-distance driving.
Models like the Tesla Model 3, Polestar 2, and Volkswagen ID.7 all have an electric range in excess of 300 miles, meaning you can hit the road without range anxiety.
Also, the performance of electric cars doesn’t drop when driving on the motorway. Thanks to the instant torque provided by the electric motor, you can get to 70mph with ease. Once there, electric cars are quiet and make for relaxing long-distance cruisers.
Wrong. Many people believe that a used electric car isn’t worth considering due to concerns about battery life and outdated technology. However, thanks to recent advances in technology, these concerns are largely unfounded.
Modern EV batteries are designed to last well over 100,000 miles, and many manufacturers offer warranties of up to ten years or more.
Additionally, EV technology is continually updated thanks to software updates and battery management systems, keeping them competitive with newer electric cars.
Looking for more EV content? We've produced a range of blogs on electric cars, such as Electric Car Insurance: Is It Different and Electric Car Running Costs Explained.
We are also one of the UK's largest electric car leasing brokers, offering a range of electric car leasing deals to suit your every need.
