6 myths about electric vehicles that are wrong

As electric vehicles quickly take over our roads, it’s important to dispel many of the misconceptions about EVs. Unfortunately, many people share misconceptions about EVs that are currently obsolete.

The misconceptions that electric cars are slow or take forever to charge are long gone. Although the truth about modern EVs is far from these outdated ideas, many people still believe these EV myths.

1. Electric cars take forever to charge

This is one of the biggest misconceptions about electric cars that persists today. If you plug the Hummer EV into a regular 120V outlet at home, it will take a long time to charge due to its huge battery size.

But if you’re preparing your home for an electric car, you can connect it to an L2 charger, which will ensure that the battery is fully charged when you wake up the next day.

For most people who travel far less than the full EV range, this isn’t necessary, but it’s still a worthwhile option. This myth also goes hand in hand with people’s reluctance to take an EV for travel.

But with modern EVs, there’s no need to worry about distance, not least because you can charge your EV on the go using DC fast chargers.

These chargers speed up the process considerably, and if you’re connected to one of the fastest charging networks, you can expect speeds of up to 350kW. That means a car like Hyundai’s impressive IONIQ 5 can charge from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes.

By the time you grab yourself a quick snack and head back to your car, the IONIQ 5 should be mostly charged. With fast charging, you no longer have to worry about getting your electric car on the road.

2. Electric vehicles cannot go far

Many people still have an image of outdated EVs, urban golf carts for short trips. But this is far from the case. In fact, modern electric cars like the Lucid Air can travel 800 km on a full charge.

That’s enough to take a long trip and come home with plenty of juice in the tank. Finally, on the battery, actually. In fact, if distance concerns are keeping you from jumping in the dumps, modern electric cars shouldn’t.

Of course, if you live in an area with poorly developed charging infrastructure, an EV may not be for you. However, in most real-world scenarios, EVs perform as well as regular cars, and you can drive them for long distances with confidence.

3. Electric cars are slow

This is one of the funniest misconceptions out there. But perhaps this misconception perpetuates the Toyota Prius’ reputation for being slow and boring.

Or maybe people associate modern EVs with older EVs that have low top speeds and aren’t very fast at reaching 60 mph. But today’s electric vehicles are far from slow; they are the kings of acceleration. Due to the instantaneous torque produced by electric motors, electric vehicles can accelerate faster than internal combustion engines.

In fact, this is far from the case. Electric cars like the Tesla Model S Plaid can destroy all internal combustion engine rivals in a race of speed. Then you have hypercars like the Rimac Nevera, which will dominate any road car that comes close.

Some EVs, like the Rivian R1T, have four motors that deliver instant torque to all four corners. In addition, these cars can control the amount of power sent to each wheel, providing a level of control and sophistication unmatched by internal combustion engine cars.

4. Electric vehicles are invalid

This is far from the truth. Electric cars don’t need regular oil changes like internal combustion cars, and electric motors don’t have as many moving parts as regular internal combustion engines.

The rest of the electric car is very similar to that of a regular car, including major components such as brakes and suspension. So the reliability of these parts should not be too different. However, most people’s biggest concern when it comes to EV reliability is the battery.

This is a very legitimate concern, especially given the cost of EV battery replacement. But just as catastrophic engine failure can happen in any normal car, even new batteries can fail.

However, this is not a common occurrence and EVs are designed to run on the same battery for many years. Tesla’s warranty covers the battery of a new EV for eight years. This is a direct expression of the confidence of EV manufacturers that your electric vehicle will be reliable for many years, including the batteries.

5. Electric cars are very expensive

Electric cars are generally more expensive than conventional cars, but more and more affordable options are emerging over time. Plus, you don’t need to drive to a gas station to own an EV, plus you’ve got government incentives and a winning combination.

Electric vehicles like the Nissan Leaf and Chevy Volt EV are great cars that won’t break the bank. In fact, the Chevy Volt EV starts at $26,500, which is a very competitive price compared to other EVs on the market.

The Chevy Volt isn’t a cheap EV full of compromises, either, and it has a range of 259 miles. However, electric vehicles like the Chevy Volt will soon become the rule and no longer the exception. As EV technology becomes cheaper, more affordable electric vehicles will continue to hit the market.

6. EV batteries don’t last very long

Many people believe that electric cars should be tossed in the nearest dustbin after a few years of use. This is not so.

You can expect decent life from an EV, and even if the battery isn’t optimal for use in an EV, it can be saved for other functions. Manufacturers are confident in the lifespan of EV batteries, and EV manufacturers like Tesla offer competitive battery warranties that make owning a car less stressful.

Tesla offers an eight-year warranty on the Model S battery and drive unit, which is a great way to ensure that new EV owners can enjoy their cars instead of worrying about them every day.

Electric cars aren’t perfect, but they’re better than many people think

Electric cars are not yet at the point of being the perfect machine for all tasks, but the reality of EVs is not as scary as many people believe. We already live in a world where an affordable EV with a wide range is a very real proposition.

Electric cars can also travel long distances without any difficulty. EV technology is poised for many advancements that will revolutionize EV ownership.