The Most Common Electric Car Myths

In a world where electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming more and more common, rumours and myths surrounding EVs are blossoming, too. We call them rumours and myths, because that’s what they are! In fact, thanks to recent advances in both technology and infrastructure, the reality of owning and driving an EV is very different from what you may have heard. Keep reading as the Andersen EV team busts the most common electric car myths…

EV myth 1: electric cars can’t travel far enough

Read many of the newspapers or listen to commentators online, and you’d be forgiven for thinking that EVs can barely make it to the end of the road - let alone make a long journey. 

Naturally, this is a complete and utter myth. 

Thanks to continual advances in battery technology and the growth of the UK’s EV charging network, today’s new EVs will get you anywhere between 150 and 300 miles range. And, it looks like cars with even longer ranges (we’re talking 600+ miles!) won’t be too far off.

Realistically, we’re now at the stage where you’ll struggle to find a brand-new electric car that has a range of less than 200 miles. 

The table below shows some of the longest-range EVs that are either currently on the market or due to launch (as of August 2023):

Vehicle	Range (miles)
Mercedes EQS 450+	452
Polestar 2	406
Tesla Model S (Dual Motor)	394
BMW i7	387
BMW iX	382
Mercedes EQE	380
Polestar 3	379
Tesla Model 3 (Long Range AWD)	374
Lotus Eletre	373
Ford Mustang Mach-E	372

Note - the table above shows the range of each vehicle based on their WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure) score.

Statistically, a primary household vehicle travels around an average of 37 miles daily. Whereas a secondary household vehicle statistically covers around 11 miles daily. Both are very much within the capabilities of a modern-day electric vehicle. 

In short, whether you’re driving near or far from your home, you have no reason to worry about the range of your electric vehicle!

EV myth 2: electric vehicles are too expensive

Another pervasive myth about electric vehicles is that they are expensive and unaffordable. 

The reality is very different. Once you factor in the running costs of a vehicle - in addition to its upfront purchase price - you’ll find that an EV may in fact be better value for money than an ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicle in the long run. 

The current average upfront cost of an EV is around £50,000. However, with EVs starting as low as £7,600 and ranging way over £100,000, it’s clear that a big chunk of the EV market is taken up by prestige brands and models (such as Jaguar, BMW, Porsche etc). 

The majority of these premium EVs are priced over £50,000. Therefore, if you remove all the prestige brands from the equation you’ll find that the ‘true’ average cost of an EV is closer to £30,000 - which in many cases makes EVs cheaper than ICE vehicles. 

Consider that in 2023, the average cost of an ICE vehicle in the UK is around £39,000. As you can see, the disparity in cost between EVs and ICE vehicles isn’t as much as the media and others would have you believe. 

Furthermore, an increasing body of evidence suggests that EVs are cheaper to service and maintain than their petrol and diesel equivalents. According to data from bookmygarage.com electric vehicles cost only £103 on average to service. This compares favourably with diesels which cost £163 on average to service, and petrol vehicles which cost £151 on average to service. 

In short, owning and running an electric car is becoming more affordable than ever. In fact, we’d expect to see the total cost of ownership decrease further over time as adoption of EVs continues. 

EV myth 3: electric vehicles produce the same (or more) carbon emissions than ICE vehicles

No tailpipe? No emissions. Another common misconception surrounding EVs is that they simply shift the source of emissions from the tailpipe to a power station. 

However, as renewable sources of energy contribute a larger share of electricity to the grid, this myth is no longer valid. 

In fact, decarbonisation of the UK’s electricity grid has been a major policy focus of the government in recent years. According to the National Grid, as of 2021 nearly 50% of the UK’s energy mix was provided by renewable, green or clean energy sources. This is a significant increase from 2010, when renewable sources of energy contributed less than 20% to the grid. 

To add to this, the process of charging EVs is becoming ever more optimised. Thanks to Smart Energy Management Systems (SEMS), and smart energy tariffs such as those provided by Octopus Energy it’s increasingly possible to charge your electric car when the grid is being powered by predominantly green sources of energy.

EV myth 4: the electricity grid can’t support an increase in electric vehicle charging

Another myth that’s typically raised when the topic of EVs arises, is that the UK’s electricity grid won’t be able to handle an increase in electric vehicle charging. 

In particular, critics of EVs raise two points: a) that UK power stations won’t be able to generate sufficient electricity to supply the number of EVs on the road, and b) that the UK’s energy grid won’t be able to support the load of all the EVs wanting to charge. 

In response, EV defenders raise several points. Firstly, mass adoption of EVs by the UK public will be a gradual process and will not happen overnight. This provides the UK power networks and grid with time to scale up to meet forecasted demand. 

Secondly, the UK government is introducing regulations such as The Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021 which require EV charging points to have smart functionality. With smart functionality, EV chargers will be able to operate in such a way as to avoid overloading the grid. 

Thirdly, according to the National Grid, the overall demand for electricity has actually dropped by 16% since 2002 due to improvements in energy efficiency. The National Grid has predicted that even if everyone switched to EVs overnight, demand for electricity would only increase by 10%. Therefore, we’d still be using less electricity as a nation than we were in 2002. 

In short, even with a significant increase in EV adoption, the projected increase in electricity demand is relatively small, and well within the manageable range of load fluctuation. 

EV myth 5: EV batteries need replacing every five years

Yet another prevalent, yet erroneous, myth you’re likely to encounter around EVs is the point that ‘their batteries need replacing every five years’. 

This is absolutely not the case. 

EV batteries, which predominantly use lithium-ion technology, have advanced power management systems that are expressly designed to protect the long-term health of the battery. These systems tend to include features that prevent the user from accidentally damaging the battery. These features prevent damage as a result of overcharge, vibration, extreme temperatures, humidity and other potential causes of damage etc.

What’s more, more manufacturers offer battery warranties of seven to eight years (or a certain mileage threshold). However, it is expected that EV batteries will last even longer, potentially outliving the lifespan of the car itself. 

EV myth 6: EV batteries can’t be recycled and end up in landfill

You’re likely to have read in the newspapers or online that EV batteries cannot be recycled. This is yet another falsehood that is doing the rounds!

The reality is that battery recycling is a rapidly growing industry, actively working to develop efficient and sustainable methods for handling end-of-life batteries. 

It’s worth highlighting that the recycling rate of EV batteries is already impressive. In the European Union the recycling rate for lithium-ion batteries reached an impressive 48% in 2019, according to a study by the University of Birmingham. Even better, this figure is projected to rise to 70% by 2025. 

Furthermore, governments, NGOs and industry bodies are all supporting a range of efforts to boost EV battery recycling. 

Let’s not forget that EV batteries contain a series of valuable rare earth elements and other valuable metals (such as cobalt), so there’s also an active incentive for companies to pursue EV battery recycling. 

In summary, the notion that EV batteries cannot be recycled and will inevitably end up in landfills is a myth that fails to recognise the significant progress made in battery recycling to date. 

Dedicated efforts by recycling programmes, regulations, and technological advancements are ensuring responsible disposal and resource recovery.

The growing battery recycling industry, along with increased investments in infrastructure, is paving the way for a sustainable and closed-loop approach to EV battery manufacturing and disposal.

EV myth 7: electric vehicles can’t tow or be towed

There is a myth surrounding electric vehicles that claims they cannot handle towing or be towed themselves. However, let’s set the record straight and dispel this misconception once and for all. 

In the earlier days of EVs, it was true that towing capabilities were limited. However, the market has since expanded, and it’s now possible to buy EVs that are able to be towed or to tow. 

However, it’s also worth doubling checking an exact model’s towing capabilities before committing to a purchase. Just like ICE vehicles, some EVs are more suited to towing than others. 

Okay, so your chosen EV may be able to tow, however, let’s address the elephant in the room; will towing reduce your EV’s range? 

The answer is yes. Towing a caravan or trailer will reduce an EVs range. However, this is no different from an ICE vehicle, which will experience lower mileage and higher fuel consumption when towing something.

In fact, in some regards, you’ll find that an EV offers a superior towing experience. This is thanks to EVs offering very smooth and linear power deliveries compared to ICE vehicles. In addition, the quiet and refined driving experience offered by an EV enhances the enjoyment of caravan adventures. 

Typically, you can expect an EV to offer a towing capacity of between 700 kg and 2,500 kg. As you would when buying any vehicle, please consider the specific requirements of your caravan or trailer and check the towing capacity of your chosen EV to ensure a suitable match. 

To help you with your search, here are three notable EVs with great towing capabilities: 

1. BMW iX. With a towing capacity of 2,500 kg, the BMW iX combines strength and comfort for long-distance journeys. 
2. Genesis GV70. A towing capacity of 1,800 kg means the GV70 can offer both a refined and premium towing experience. 
3. Tesla Model Y. Capable of towing up to 1,600 kg, the Tesla Model Y combines convenience with style, benefiting from the Tesla Supercharger Network.

EV myth 8: it takes too long to charge an electric vehicle

This is arguably one of the most prevalent and stubborn of EV myths - that it ‘takes too long to charge an EV’. 

However, it’s a myth which is based on several misunderstandings as to how the dynamics of EV charging operate. 

Firstly, EV charging technology is advancing rapidly, with roadside superchargers able to add significant amounts of charge to vehicles in only a few minutes. For example, UK-company Nyobolt claims to have invented an EV battery which can be charged to 155 miles of range in under six minutes. And, that’s just a single example of EV innovation. 

Secondly, it’s worth bearing in mind that a significant portion of charging for EV owners takes place at home, including overnight charging whilst they sleep. This provides a convenient and accessible way to keep the vehicle charged without relying solely on public charging infrastructure. 

Thirdly, the charging time of an EV very much depends on its battery type and capacity, charging speed of the charging point, ambient temperature, and the vehicle’s maximum charging rate. 

Charging an EV can take as little as 45 minutes with a rapid charger, or up to 12 hours with a home charging point.

EV myth 9: you need a driveway to charge an electric vehicle

Although the majority of people who drive an EV also own their own home charging point, it is not a necessity. 

Think of it like this; do you fill your car with petrol or diesel at home? The answer is almost certainly no. Typically, you head to the petrol station with the best value fuel you can find. 

In the same way, many EV owners now head out to find a convenient local charging point. And, doing this is becoming easier all the time. This is because charging infrastructure in the UK is advancing at a rapid rate. 

There are currently over 43,600 public charge points which are spread over 25,400 locations. This is truly a vast number when you consider that the UK is home to only around 8,365 petrol stations. 

Simply put, the amount of readily available public charge points in the UK means EV owners don’t have to worry about owning a private driveway.

EV myth 10: there are too many different types of EV chargers and socket connections

Remember when mobile phones were in their infancy and every brand had its own charger? Now, compare that to EV charging. Precisely. The existence of multiple different EV charging connectors is a natural consequence of the evolving EV market. 

Having said that, recent years have seen a significant rationalisation of EV connector types in the UK. There are now two A/C (Alternative Current) and two D/C (Direct Current) connector types in use.

AC charging connectors

There are two types of AC connectors; type 1 and type 2.

• Type 1 - this is now a very outdated type of connector and is only found on a few EVs.
• Type 2 - in the UK, type 2 has become the ‘industry standard’ and offers faster charging and a wide range of charging stations compared to type 1 connectors. 

DC charging connectors

There are two types of DC connectors, type 1 CHAdeMO and type 2 CCS. 

• Type 1 CHAdeMO - this is the least common type of connector, and can only charge at capacities of up to 7kW. 
• Type 2 CCS - this is a popular and fast type of connector, able to provide EVs with up to 150 miles of range in as little as an hour. 

With this level of consolidation, it’s becoming easier than ever to charge an EV. 

Be part of the future with Andersen EV

In conclusion, it’s time to dispel the most common myths surrounding EVs. Electric vehicles offer an environmentally-friendly, attractive, efficient and stylish way of getting around.

If you’re thinking about investing in an EV - and being part of the future of transport - then it’s important you invest in a stylish and practical home EV charging system, too. 

Explore the Andersen A2 now