The 8 EV myths everyone should stop believing

As any new technology that comes to the market, electric vehicles (EVs) have had their critics. The EVs we see on our roads today are far more advanced than those we saw entering the market five to ten years ago. But as technology and infrastructure has developed, the limitations that EVs once had are still being thrown around as warning-off statements.

The transition to electric can be daunting enough; add to it some outdated obstacles and, for some, it could be too much to face. Drax are here to put some facts straight.

Myth #1: Electric vehicles can’t travel far enough

One of the most outdated myths of all is that EVs are limited in their range. While range was a concern for some a few years ago, advances in technology, rapidly falling costs and greater investment mean when it comes to distance, EVs have few limitations.

The reality:

• Most drivers can get where they need in an electric car because 99% of car journeys in England are under 100 miles
• If you’re travelling further, there are over 30 models that have a 200-plus mile range
• Many new electric cars can now travel over 300 miles before needing to charge
• A recent study showed that the UK now has more rapid chargers every 100 miles of main roads than any country in Europe
• Industry statistics show there are now over 40,000 public chargepoints available across the UK, of which nearly 8,000 are either rapid or ultra rapid
• Lastly, it’s worth remembering that public charge stations are supplementary to the more convenient home charging

Still worried about range for your commercial fleet? Read Drax’s article for the latest on batteries, charging and range.

Myth #2: Electric vehicles are too expensive

The environmental benefits of EVs can’t be ignored, but what about their price? Another common misconception about EVs is that they’re too expensive. While there can be an initial upfront investment, looking at the total cost of ownership (TCO) actually makes them cheaper than many of the standard internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

The reality:

• EVs do cost more to buy, but their running and maintenance costs are typically less than petrol and diesel cars
• EV journeys cost as little as 8p a mile for off-peak electricity
• Production costs are reducing – by the mid to late 2020s, EVs may cost the same to buy as petrol or diesel cars
• Some EV manufacturers such as Tesla offer “dynamic pricing” in different markets, whereby they’ll reduce the cost of some models by up to 20% – worth thousands

Find out more about grants, subsidies, and incentives for your commercial electric fleet.

Myth #3: EV batteries need replacing every 5 years

We’ve read plenty of headlines putting EV batteries under scrutiny, with claims they need to be replaced as often as every five years. This couldn’t be further from the truth, with most EVs currently on the market having an eight to ten year warranty.

The reality:

• With currently over 10 million EVs on the world’s roads, there’s no evidence that their lifespans are lower than petrol or diesel vehicles
• Most electric vehicle batteries have warranties of around eight years (or 100,000 miles), but are expected to last much longer
• New batteries’ lifespans are continually improving

And when your EV battery does reach the end of its life, it can be repurposed and re-used in a second life – in renewable energy storage, for example. Find out more about batteries and renewable energy storage.

Myth #4: EV batteries are unsustainable and end up in landfill

Many question how ‘green’ EVs truly are – and rightly so. The materials used in batteries raise some environmental concerns; right from the raw materials used, through to production and end use. The fact of the matter is, laws ban the disposal of batteries in landfill, plus there are lots of uses for batteries beyond their life in an EV. Plus, manufacturers and Governments are actively addressing these concerns with stricter regulations and transparency.

The reality:

• The UK is part of international efforts to secure a transparent, sustainable, and ethical supply of EV battery materials
• Existing regulations ban the disposal of EV batteries to landfill and incineration
• Battery producers are obliged to take back EV batteries free of charge and ensure they are recycled according to regulatory standards – given the scarcity and price of battery materials, it’s actually in industry’s commercial best interest to recycle and reuse

Find out more about the sustainability of commercial EV fleets.

Myth #5: It takes too long to charge an electric vehicle

One of the most noticeable differences between an EV and an ICE is the time it takes to refuel. And while it can take longer to refuel an EV, some basic pre-planning can mitigate the impact on your operations.

The reality:

• Most charging is done at or near drivers’ homes overnight
• With access to a rapid charger (100kW), new cars can typically travel 120 miles on just a 20-minute charge
• Charging speeds have increased by a factor of five in the past few years as engineers have started to focus on EVs as the future of transport

While refuelling isn’t yet done at the same pace as filling up a petrol tank, EV fleets can be built and installed to suit your business operations – maximising cost and operational efficiency.

Myth #6: The electricity grid won’t be able to cope if everyone switches to electric cars

How will the grid cope with all this extra demand? The UK energy grid is undergoing a huge shift right now, and the adoption of EVs is just one part of it. EVs will increase demand, but extensive plans are in place to balance supply and demand.

The reality:

• The Committee on Climate Change suggests that electrifying all vehicles could mean road transport will comprise up to 15% to 20% of total electricity demand in 2050
• The Government believes the grid will be able to cope if changes to the infrastructure are delivered on time
• That said, smart charging reduces the need for new infrastructure, so EVs could bring benefits through technologies such as vehicle to grid

Find out more about the smart grid.

Myth #7: Battery swapping is the best way to transition to zero emission cars and vans

We’ve heard on the grapevine that battery swapping – that is, replacing a depleted battery in an EV with a fully charged one – is the way forward. While the concept sounds great, there are multiple limitations that mean it’s unlikely to lift off significantly anytime soon.

The reality:

• Battery swapping poses various technological challenges when it comes to standardising batteries between models and makes
• The battery swapping approach has specific use cases and commercial benefits, which have yet to find traction here in the UK

Myth #8: There are too many different types of connectors on EVs so drivers can’t charge at any charge station

There’s no denying that the charging infrastructure has been a challenge for the EV evolution up until this point. Different – and sometimes competing – charging infrastructure has slowed the UK’s electrification journey, but standardisation is now well on its way.

The reality:

• Government legislation from 2017 ensures all new and replacement public charge stations must offer standard connectors
• This means the vast majority of EVs can charge on the entire UK public charging network
• When it comes to electrifying your fleet, having your own on-site charging network will help cut through any uncertainty and make it easier, more efficient and cost-effective for your organisation.

Whether you’re a fleet, facilities, or energy manager, we can support your journey to a more electric future. To learn more about the end-to-end electrification offering from Drax – get in touch.