Electric Vehicles: The Most Common Myths Debunked
There are a lot of myths surrounding electric vehicles which, unfortunately, make people reluctant to consider them. Here are some of the most common…
They Simply Don’t Have Enough Range
One of the most prevalent myths around electric cars concerns ‘range-anxiety’, the view that electric cars don’t have enough range to meet the requirements of most drivers. It’s simply untrue. The average Brit drives no more than 30 miles a day. Most contemporary EVs, however, offers ranges between 150 – 300 miles; meaning that they’re perfectly capable of covering most of the journeys we make, either commuting, shopping or visiting friends.
They’re Too Slow
Anyone who takes issue with the performance of electric cars simply doesn’t know much about them. It’s a myth that they’re slow. They’re almost always quicker than their ICE equivalents, offering instance torque. When the accelerator is pushed down, drivers will experience an almost instant transition from being stationary to moving.
They’re Too Expensive To Maintain
Some people believe that the complex and modern technology present within EVs mean that they’re more expensive to service and maintain. However, the opposite is true. Having dispensed with a combustion engine, EVs have far fewer moving parts than those found in petrols, diesels and hybrids. As a result, they face reduced wear and tear.
Batteries Don’t Last Long Enough
As it stands, a typical EV battery will last around 10 years; with many lasting up to 20 years, if they’re looked after and aren’t consistently overcharged. Battery technology is improving at a rapid rate, too, meaning that their lifespans will likely get longer all of the time. Crucially, around 99% of batteries can also be recycled – it’s just that the required infrastructure hasn’t yet caught up.
They’re Unsafe
Most EVs perform well in crash tests. Given that they’re so modern, they also come crammed with advanced in-car tech such as automatic braking systems and advanced crumple features. But most people, generally, are concerned about battery fires. It’s true that, when an EV’s battery catches fire, they can burn indefinitely for hours and they’re difficult to put out. Nevertheless, an American study found that an EV is no more likely to burst into flames than a conventional vehicle.
They Don’t Have Environmental Advantages
We’ll be frank, there’s no such thing as a ‘zero-emission’ vehicle. Even though EVs dispense with exhausts, they still produce emissions during the extraction of rare earth minerals, the manufacturing process and via their tyres and braking systems. Indeed, an increasing number of environmental commentators are emphasising the need to tackle car-dependency as a whole, not simply swap every ICE vehicle with an EV. Regardless, EVs very often do have advantages over ICE models.
They produce fewer particulates, with is better for local air-quality (especially in urban areas). They can also run on renewable energy, assuming it’s available. Given the fewer moving parts, it’s likely that they’ll last longer in the long-term when compared to diesels and petrols, too. If you want the cleanest EV possible, go for a smaller vehicle (as opposed to something like an SUV) and use an energy provider that uses renewable sources.
DVSA Urges Drivers To Get Training Before Towing On The Road – https://autoserveclub.co.uk/blog/dvsa-urges-drivers-to-get-training-before-towing-on-the-road/
Petition Forces Parliament To Discuss 40% Fuel Duty Cut – https://autoserve.co.uk/motoring-news/petition-forces-parliament-to-discuss-40-fuel-duty-cut/
