Most common EV myths busted

Electric vehicles (EVs) are a great alternative to petrol cars. They help lower your carbon footprint, and they're easy to run. By 2040, all new cars sold in the UK must have zero emissions, which makes an EV the perfect option.

But, despite their rise in popularity, there is still a lot of confusion around leasing, owning and running an EV. We take a look at the top EV myths and set the record straight.

Myth: Electric cars are difficult to charge

Not at all; charging an electric car is easy. You can charge an electric car by plugging it into a socket to take power from the grid or by plugging it into a charging unit. Read about different charging sockets and speeds.

In the UK, there are more than 30,000 public charge point connectors at over 12,000 locations, which makes it easy to charge your car wherever you are. These numbers go up every year!

It's also easy to charge an electric car at home. We've joined forces with Pod Point to offer fast and reliable home car charging points.

Pod Point also work with other companies, like Tesco, Lidl and Centre Parcs, providing even more public charging locations across the UK.
 

Myth: You can't use electric cars for long-distance journeys

Yes, you can! The range an EV has on a single charge depends on the make and model.

Most modern EVs have a range that comfortably suits most people's daily journeys. This means you can charge your car at home or at work without impacting your routine.

For longer journeys, it's a good idea to use rapid chargers to top up, as they're the quickest way to charge your EV. You can often find them at motorway service car parks, petrol stations, larger shopping centres and supermarkets. This nicely ties in with a comfort stop on a long journey.

If this isn’t for you, there are long-range electric cars available on the market, too.
 

Myth: Electric cars have to be charged every day

How often you charge your car depends on how many miles you travel daily. 

The most convenient way to charge an EV is to use a car charging point at home.

You need to have off-street parking to install a car charging point. Once it's installed, you can charge your car overnight the same way as you do your phone. It's that easy.

If you decide to buy and install a home charger, you'll be glad to know that you can apply for the UK government's £350 OLEV Grant to help with the costs.
 

Myth: It takes a long time to charge an EV

Technology is moving on quickly, and the ever-improving range of EVs means that most won't need a daily recharge.

All charge points have to be smart these days. This means you can set a scheduled time for when you want your car ready, and the charger can ensure that electricity is used from the grid when electricity is cheaper, and there is less demand on the grid.

Most EVs fully charge overnight, which is great if you charge at home. 

A public rapid charge point can return an exhausted EV to 80% of its range in just half an hour. While that's not as quick as filling up with petrol or diesel, if you've driven far enough to need a recharge, the chances are you'll want a short break anyway.

Interested in how long it takes to charge an electric car? Find out about charging your at home, in public and charging times.
 

Myth: Electric cars are expensive to run

Electric vehicles run on electricity. So, to keep your costs as low as possible, it’s wise to make sure you’re on the best EV tariff for your needs. Discover our exclusive EV tariff with half-price off-peak electricity.

No doubt a question on many minds is: are electric vehicles cheaper to run than petrol cars? The short answer is yes, it seems so!

An electric car costs around 4p per mile, compared to a petrol car that costs 10p per mile. These figures are based on current average costs for electricity and petrol, and new car fuel consumption data from 2018. 

Are you keen to know more about the cost of running an electric car? Learn about electric car costs.
 

Myth: Electric cars break down more

Not so. An electric vehicle is less likely to break down than a petrol or diesel car because it has fewer moving parts.

This is also great news when it comes to EV maintenance costs. EVs don’t have familiar car parts like a gearbox, clutch, exhaust, starter motor and more. Even the brakes on an EV get much less wear and tear because electric cars use regenerative braking.

For example, according to Nissan, to service a Nissan Leaf costs just £159 per year. Tesla says that it can perform many servicing functions remotely via software updates.
 

Myth: You can't drive an electric car in the rain

Of course, you can drive or charge an electric car in the rain. You can drive through puddles safely and take your EV through a car wash whenever you like.

EVs are built to cope, even if you get caught in a flood. For example, the Jaguar I-PACE has a wading depth of 500mm and features safety systems designed to deal with a flood situation.
 

Myth: You can't buy or sell second-hand electric cars

Wrong. You can buy or sell a second-hand electric car, just like you would any other type of vehicle. However, there are a few things to look out for when purchasing an EV second-hand.

The first thing to check is how well the battery keeps its charge. You can also check the battery warranty – this usually lasts longer than the car warranty, giving you peace of mind. 

Get the EV thoroughly checked in a similar way to a petrol or diesel car. Ensure all functions and electrics work and the wheels aren’t too worn down.

You should also check if the EV has a lease plan that goes with it.