The number of electric cars being sold in the UK is accelerating, and automotive manufacturers are investing increasing amounts of money to either begin, or extend, their electric car range.
Although motorists are becoming more knowledgeable about electric cars, there are still few outdated myths and misconceptions that continue to linger. As we head into an electric automotive future, we thought we’d set about debunking a few of the most common ones.
Myth #1: They're slow
One of biggest myths about electric cars is that they’re slow, but today’s reality couldn’t be further from the truth. Electric cars have progressed so much that you no longer need to think of them like a golf cart or a milk float.
Electric cars have no gears, meaning instant torque is available from a standstill. In fact, many electric cars are faster than their fuel equivalents. The BMW i3 can reach 0-60mph in just 7.2 seconds, and the Jaguar I-PACE can make it in a staggering 4.5 seconds. Don’t underestimate just how rapid electric cars can be.
Myth #2: It’ll run out of juice and I’ll end up stranded
Battery technology is advancing quickly, meaning electric cars’ have ever-more impressive ranges based on a single charge. The Audi e-tron, for instance, has a range of up to 237 miles which is more than enough for most journeys.
According to figures from 2018, the average annual mileage per car in England is 7,600 miles – or just shy of 21 miles a day. So, in truth, you wouldn’t need to recharge as often as you think. And even when you do, most electric car models recharge in very short amount of time.
If you do regularly make longer trips, you’ll just need to plan your journey a little more carefully to ensure there are charging points on your route should you require them.
Myth #3: They're no fun to drive
As mentioned during the debunking of Myth #1, electric cars are capable of high performance levels, so driving experience is never compromised. A smooth ride combined with impressive pace make for a very fun drive.
Even when you take speed out of the equation, electric cars are stacked with cutting-edge tech so behind the wheel is a very fun place to be. For example, in the Mercedes-Benz EQC, the dashboard display is entirely digital, and with a mere wave or your arm, or by saying ‘Hey Mercedes’, you can access and control, almost all of its remarkable features.
Myth #4: They're expensive
While it’s true that some electric cars can be higher priced than their petrol counterparts, there are less expensive models available such as the MINI Electric.
The reality with electric cars is they’re cheaper to run longer term seeing as electricity costs far less than fuel. They also release zero emissions and are therefore exempt from road tax.
Regarding maintenance, there are fewer moving parts, using electrical rather than mechanical energy to move the car. There are no oil filters to change, because there’s no oil. There’s no oil because there’s no pistons or gaskets, meaning there’s no cambelt to replace. And there’s no clutch to replace, because there’s no gearbox.
Myth #5: The power grid can't support mass adoption
It’s certainly true that the National Grid, in its current form, would struggle to support the demand for electricity if everyone went out and bought an electric car tomorrow. But as the source of power in our cars is changing, the way we generate and harvest electricity is changing.
Who's to say we won’t each be charging our cars with power from our own solar panels one day? Or even that our cars can't integrate their own solar panels? It seems an inevitable next step for future hybrid and electric models.
Now that we’ve debunked the most common myths about electric cars, we hope you’re well on your way to becoming a fan of them, if you weren’t already. View our new car ranges to see all of the electric vehicles we have on offer here at Inchcape.
Unsure which model is best for you? Read our article showcasing the best electric cars based on your lifestyle.