14 electric car myths busted

Whatever your views, electric vehicles are coming - to our roads, neighborhoods and, in all likelihood, and before you know it, to your driveway.

That’s because the Federal Government has set the goal of making half of all new vehicles sold in the United States in 2030 zero-emissions vehicles. To support that, it also wants 500,000 public chargers to be installed.

But that ambitious timetable has led to some claims and counter-claims flying around that need some fact-based responses.

Click on, as we’re here to help…

Myth 1: Driving an EV is boring

Let's lay this one to rest right now. While it's true that the battery packs mean that  electric vehicles (EVs) are generally heavier than combustion engined equivalents, they benefit from their electric motors having instant torque - meaning incredible acceleration can be available on tap.

Today, there's a host of hypercard powered by electricity that have claimed 0-62mph times of under two seconds, including models from Aspark, Pininfarina, Rimac and Tesla. that's acceleration that leaves even the Bugatti Chiron (0-62mph in 2.4secs) standing at the traffic lights.

Remember too, that this technology is in its infancy; there's more to come from these already mind-blowing figures.

Myth 2: Making an EV is an environmental disaster

It’s true that today manufacturing an EV is more energy intensive than manufacturing a combustion engined car, with the battery the main culprit.

As a result, EVs do have a higher embedded environmental cost, but that deficit is offset as the car is driven; depending on its size, place of manufacture and the energy used in its creation, this is estimated by experts and car makers tobe anywhere from 15,000 miles to 60,000 miles.

Typical US drivers cover 13,500 a year according to statistics, suggesting payback in between just over a year and just over four years - the average age of cars and trucks on US roads is 12.2 years.

Myth 3: I’ll get electrocuted if it rains

So long as you follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use the correct charging cables from a verified charging station, you will not have any issues.

Another oft-cited concern is if you’ll hit trouble if you drive through a puddle or ford. As with any car, there’s usually maximum wading depths that are advised, but so long as you follow them then the battery pack is insulated and won’t cause you and issue.

Myth 4: I’m more likely to get hurt in an accident

EVs are subject to the same crash and electrical safety regulations as any other cars, and have been deemed safe to the same standards as any other cars.

Moreover, Tesla has received numerous safety awards over the years for producing what are, in the expert testers in the US and Europe’s assessment, not only the safest cars on sale, but ever made.

Myth 5: The electricity grid can't cope

It's true that the electricity grid will have to work harder when we all switch to EVs, both to produce more energy and to carry it to where it's needed.

However, most analysts point out that the Western world's peak energy usage was 20 years ago, so there is already inherent and proven capacity to deal with greater demand - plus, work to upgrade the infrastructure is ongoing. 

That's why you hear a lot about investment in green energy and nuclear energy - both to ensure that the electricity powering in our cars isn't generated by polluting fossil fuels. It's also why grid providers are investing in upgrading their networks - albeit gradually, as the transition for all of us to be driving EVs is likely at least 30 years away at least.

Myth 6: Everyone will charge their EVs at once and the grid will go pop

It's certainly true that if everyone owned an EV and everyone plugged them in at once the surge in demand would be potentially overwhelming.

But how likely is that to really happen? While there are surges today - during the breaks in the Super Bowl, when we all go to the toilet or boil a kettle for instance - they are usually anticipated beforehand and precautions put in place.

As such, government and energy providers around the world already incentivise EV owners to charge at off-peak hours, for instance by charging less overnight. Chargers are also being developed with Smart technology so they can 'talk' to the grid and switch off and on according to demand.

Finally, EVs might actually be part of the solution. Chargers with two-way capability - to take from the grid and give back to it - have been tested, and could allow EVs with charge in their battery to help balance demand at peak hours.

Myth 7: Existing engines could be adapted to run on hydrogen

Technically, it might be possible with some engines, but the stark truth is that burning hydrogen still produces nitrogen oxide (NOx) and CO2. There is also the issue of extracting, storing and transporting the hydrogen in a cost and environmentally effective way.

We could all switch to hydrogen fuel cell cars, although that would mean starting again rather than converting existing cars, just as with EVs, while the same problems with getting hydrogen to the cars would remain. Most experts believe it is more likely to be a viable alternative for big trucks that travel set routes than cars because of the costs involved.

Myth 8: Electric motors and  batteries are full of rare metals that are extracted by slave workers

Unquestionably, more can be done to ensure transparency and sustainability of materials used - although that’s not unique to the car industry, as many electronics industries use the same battery tech.

As you’d hope, all mainstream EV manufacturers are signed up to responsibly sourcing materials, as well as investigating ways to use fewer rare earth components.

Acutely aware of the damage where any scandal uncovered, the car industry has pledged to act responsibly, and so far there has been no fallout.

Myth 9: We can't generate enough electricity to keep all the cars moving

Estimates suggest that by the time 80% of US vehicles are EVs, demand on the grid will only have risen 10-15% - a significant jump, but when you factor in all of the efficiencies that have been made over the past 20 years, and then add in all the additional green energy production capacity being added to the system, it's a more than manageable figure.

As EV usage goes up, so too we'll be refining less oil, which is an incredibly energy intensive business. Estimates suggest 4.5kWh of energy is needed to refine one gallon of petrol.

Myth 10: Generating the electricity in power stations negates any benefits of EVs

There's a truth to the fact that electric vehicles running on energy created by oil or coal power stations are far less ecologically sound than those running on renewables, such as wind, solar or tidal energy.

Just how much progress has been made with renewables is shown by case studies in New England and New York, where only 0.1 to 2.7% of electricity is produced from coal and oil combined.
Factor in that the journey to cleaner energy production has only just started, and it's clear that the ecological benefits of EVs are only going to get greater.

Myth 11: Electric vehicles will always be more expensive to buy

It's certainly true today that an EV is more expensive to buy up front than its combustion engined equivalent, typically by around 20-30%. Bear in mind, though, that EV technology is about ten years old, whereas combustion engines have been perfected over 120 years or more. Costs are coming down.

Even now, there are ways to claw back that premium; even with today's higher energy costs, EVs are typically cheaper to fuel than buying petrol. A best-case scenario suggests that an Ev can cost as little as 4p a mile to run today, whereas even a small, efficient city car running on gas will likely set you back 10p a mile.

Electric vehicles also require less servicing (and there are less parts to replace if things do go wrong) and in some parts of the world there are large tax breaks available for choosing one, as well as exemptions from congestion charges.
As part of the US Inflation Reduction Act, for instance, EV buyers are eligible for tax credits on new and used electric vehicles, saving them around $1000 a year.

Myth 12: I won't be able to reach my destination

Statistics reveal that 85% of journeys in the US are under 100 miles - comfortably within reach of a typical EV without even to charge when you're out.

Of course, detractors will point to the other 15% of journeys that might raise your anxiety levels, but that's where the growing network of charging stations comes into play. Increasingly, there are high-speed chargers available along major routes, which can typically put 100 miles of range into your car in less than 20 minutes, about the same time it takes you to have a toilet break or buy a cup of coffee. Today, in the US, there are as many public chargers as gas pumps - and billions of dollars are committed to exponentially growing that number.

Myth 13: We're going to end up with lots of dead batteries

Life experience has taught us that rechargeable batteries don't last forever - mobile phones have taught us that, over time, lithium batteries lose their capacity to hold charge and eventually need replacing.

The same is true of EV batteries, although their durability is much greater than that of a phone; battery warranties available with EVs are typically at least seven years or 100,000 miles, and often longer than for the car itself.
What's more, car makers are obliged to either recycle the battery parts, or run schemes that put the battery to use in a different way, such as a storage unit for a home or businesses.

Myth 14: I’ll grow old waiting for my EV to charge

Maybe, or maybe you’ll prolong your life by charging overnight while you sleep - waking up to a full car and the prospect of cleaner air as a result.

Of course, this is easier when you can charge at home, but it’s also possible if you have nearby local public charging; either usually quicker than stopping for fuel, filling up and queuing to pay. A 7Kw charger will take five to ten hours from empty, depending on your battery size.

What’s more, if you do need a charge in a hurry, there’s an increasing number of fast, rapid and ultra-rapid chargers available now, the fastest capable of putting 100 miles of range in your car in as little as 20 minutes.