Electric Car Myths Busted: What You Really Need to Know

Electric cars have become a popular choice for many people. However, while they are desirable, there are plenty of people who don't want an electric car. That's not surprising, whenever new tech appears there will be those who are cautious about using it. That's certainly true for electric vehicles. But, what is interesting is the reasons people give for not wanting an electric car. In many cases, people present facts which are actually myths and not true. Let's take a look at some of the most common electric car myths.

They Are Too Expensive

A brand-new electric car doesn't compare favorably with a brand-new combustion engine vehicle. The cost of producing a standard vehicle is generally cheaper. This is partly because it uses well-established technology, and partly because lithium-ion batteries are expensive. However, stating that an electric car is too expensive is no longer a viable option. The truth is, that production and assembly lines have improved, allowing electric cars to be created on the same scale as combustion engines.

In addition, the price of lithium-ion batteries has dramatically reduced in recent years. The average battery price dropped by nearly 90% in the period between 2010 and 2020. Alongside this, electric cars have very few moving parts compared to a standard combustion engine. Fewer moving parts make it cheaper to maintain the vehicle.

In other words, electric cars were more expensive than combustion engine cars when they first arrived. But, today, electric cars can be made for much less, making them comparable to or cheaper than combustion vehicles. Don't forget, that many governments also offer grants and financial aid packages to help individuals purchase an electric car. This can potentially make them cheaper than any traditional option.

Batteries Don't Last

The myth is that the battery will run out quickly, leaving you stranded. However, the truth is that you probably drive less than 40 km a day and your car will be capable of covering 200-400 km on a single charge. In short, you can recharge at home and your battery won't be affected by multiple small charges. It's likely to last as long as you have the vehicle. To help with this, manufacturers generally offer an 8-year warranty on the battery. If it fails during that time it will be replaced free of charge.

Electric Cars Run Out Of Charge Easily

This myth is fueled by the frequent stories of electric vehicle owners rolling to a stop and needing to be towed home. You'll also hear stories about vehicles which don't offer the range the manufacturer says they do. In fact, this is true, only Tesla's can travel the anticipated driving range, and everyone else comes up short. That said, the car isn't going to run out easily, you know how far it will go and where your local charging points are. Ignore the dashboard and you can run out of fuel as easily as electricity.

Electric Cars Pollute

This isn't completely a myth. Electric cars do pollute. However, it's not quite as you might expect. An electric vehicle produces zero emissions. However, emissions are produced by the electricity grid when they use fossil fuels to create petrol. If your vehicle is using grid energy it is potentially still polluting. However, countries are increasingly using green solutions to produce electricity. That lowers the harmful effects of electric cars even further. While some emissions are created when the vehicle is made, this is mainly due to battery production and should be down to significantly less within the next two years.

The Batteries Create Waste

There have been many concerns registered regarding what happens to the battery when it reaches the end of its life. It's believed that they simply go into landfills, increasing the amount of waste on the planet. In fact, this is a myth. Old lithium batteries can be recycled, all the lithium is recovered and then reused in new batteries. Old batteries can also be repurposed. A battery with 70% storage capacity won't be good enough for an electric car. However, it will be good enough for an array of other jobs, such as storing renewable energy.

The Public Don't Support Electric Cars

There has been a lot of publicity about electric cars and how there remain many reasons not to purchase one. However, the truth is that the reasons not to purchase one are rapidly declining. An increasing number of people are investing in electric cars and supporting the drive for a climate-neutral world. As battery life and charging networks improve the amount of support for electric cars will continue to increase. In short, the public does support electric cars and are likely to continue to do so.

Summing Up

The array of government grants available combined with competitive vehicle pricing means that the electric car is no longer a fantasy, it's now a reality. Perhaps it's time you joined the revolution.