There are many misconceptions about electric vehicles (EVs) out there. We will tackle five of them in this post.
Myth 1: EVs do not have enough range — BUSTED
EVs are often expected to go as long between charges as petrol cars go between fill-ups, but they simply do not have to. Why? EVs are charged more frequently than cars are filled up. Instead of heading to the petrol station when the tank is empty, EV drivers charge up wherever they go.
The average UK driver travels only 30 miles a day, well within the range of any EV. But long-range drivers need not worry either: The Tesla Model 3 drives 220 miles; the Nissan Leaf has a range of 235 miles while the Renault ZOE lasts 150 electric miles. Besides, as more car manufacturers enter the EV space and compete to produce the longest-range-EV, range anxiety will soon cease to be a concern. As per usual, Tesla is taking the lead: the new Roadster is supposed to go 640 miles with only one charge.
Myth 2: EVs are not environmentally friendly because electricity comes from coal — BUSTED
EVs cut greenhouse gas emissions in half, no matter how the energy used to charge them is produced. If you live in an area that produces most of its energy from renewable sources, you can reduce your emissions even more.
Some stay skeptical though whether EVs are cleaner than petrol- or diesel-powered vehicles. But from the US to Europe, the various studies conclude EVs already are and will only become cleaner than internal combustion engine competitors – battery production, battery recycling, and energy production all taken into account.
Myth 3: It takes too long to charge — BUSTED
Charging an EV takes only a few seconds: the time it takes to plug your car in before you go do something else. Because cars spend over 90% of the time parked, there is more than enough time to charge: in fact, the ChargePoint network data shows EV drivers stay parked for 50% longer than they need to charge, on average.
Myth 4: EVs are only good for ideal climates — BUSTED
Granted, you may lose some range in the coldest days of winter, but many people successfully drive their EVs daily in colder climates such as Norway, Iceland, Alaska or Canada.
Tip: Staying plugged in and keeping your car in a garage will help keep your battery happy.
Myth 5: EV batteries lose range fast — BUSTED
Many EVs these days have an 8-year, 100.000-mile battery warranty. EV batteries are generally expected to retain 70% to 80% of their capacity over 10 years. Unless you are planning to hold onto your electric car for a few decades, battery degradation should not pose a big problem for you.
Bonus myth: There are no chargers near me — BUSTED
Check out the ChargePoint app to find charging stations near you. You may be surprised to find chargers in places you thought you knew well. Did you know? ChargePoint is leading the effort to create peer-to-peer roaming agreements with other charging providers in the UK, Europe and worldwide, so drivers can charge wherever they go. Download our mobile app to find places to charge near you.
And if there is no charger at all convenient to you, it may be time to get your own home charger.
Another idea, given the vast majority of charging happens at home and at work: ChargePoint provides solutions to enable companies to offer workplace EV charging.
Do you have questions or do you want to know more about e-mobility?
