Most Common Misconceptions About Electric Cars
Electric vehicles (EV) can’t keep out of the news nowadays and the ban of new petrol and diesel sales in 2030 has confirmed that this isn’t just a short-lived craze. It seems that at some point we’re all going to need to consider switching to an electric car.
The latest stats show a dramatic uptake in electric cars on UK roads, with registrations for pure-EVs in the first nine months of 2020 up 127% compared to 2019. Despite these promising signs, there are still barriers preventing those who are considering electric cars from making the switch.
Whether it’s range anxiety, how well electric cars drive or availability of charging, we debunk 8 common misconceptions about electric cars in this guide.
Misconception #1: electric cars are too expensive to buy
Let’s face it. The biggest concern for most customers has been the initial cost of electric cars. We all want to help commit to a greener future but don’t want to break the bank while doing it.
Granted, for a while EVs did cost more than their petrol or diesel counterparts – but that is quickly changing.
The increased demand for electric cars has lead to the mass production of lithium-ion batteries to power these cars. This has caused roughly a 70% reduction in prices and is estimated to decrease by a further 50% before 2030. These reductions make EV’s cheaper to produce and in turn make the market for selling them much more competitive.
The market is organically becoming more competitive even as you read this. More and more manufacturers are entering the EV market and the more that do, the cheaper these cars will be to buy. As the number of models increase, manufacturers have to find ways to stay competitive – and usually that is a reduction in price.
To increase the speed of this transition, the UK Government have introduced a grant that could see them cover up to 35% of the cost of your new EV (up to the value of £2,500). There are certain eligibility restrictions however, based on the emissions your chosen car produces and its price.
If all of that still hasn’t convinced you. There is always the option of leasing an electric car – where you pay fixed monthly payments to cover the cost of hiring the EV.
Compare prices on a wide variety of electric cars at Moneyshake and find the right deal for you in under five minutes.
Misconception #2: charging an electric cars isn’t cheaper than fuelling a petrol or diesel car
Much like the initial cost, the increasing number of charging point companies means that the price of publicly re-charging your EV is becoming more and more competitive. What’s more, free EV chargers can be found up and down the country as a ploy to encourage more electric drivers.
Even without this competition, running electric cars is almost certainly cheaper than petrol/diesel alternatives. With home tariffs averaging around 14p/kWh, you could fill your ‘tank’ for less than £10.
Free charging at work is also becoming more and more accessible too, as the government provide grants to businesses for the installation of up to 40 chargers. With many workplaces provided free charging as part of their staff benefits.
Aside from fuel costs, fully electric vehicles are exempt from road tax due to their production of zero emissions. Giving EV drivers one less cost to worry about.
Misconception #3: there aren’t enough electric car charging points
This is one of the common misconceptions about electric cars that could not be further from the truth.
At the time of writing this blog there are over 38,000 charging connectors in the UK, at just under 14,000 different locations. This number has increased exponentially year on year and shows no signs of slowing down. It has never been easier to find your nearest charging point either, with organisations like Zap Map providing up to date locations.
There are a vast amount of public charging points today, and with many more on the way, lack of charging points will never be a problem.
Misconception #4: with an electric car your choice of models is limited
Drivers often think that electric vehicles are only available in small niche models such as the Renault Twizy or Smart ForTwo Coupe. But as we have mentioned, more and more manufacturers are entering the EV market – and therefore the range of models is becoming better and better.
Almost all of the manufacturers on Moneyshake offer EVs, including popular brands such as Audi, BMW, and Peugeot. Even the more lucrative brands such as Porsche or Jaguar have well-established electric cars on the market. And that’s before we even mention the exclusively electric Tesla cars.
Whether it’s an SUV, city car, or sports car you’re after, you will not find yourself short of choice looking an electric alternative.
Don’t take our word for it though. Search through our electric leasing deals on Moneyshake and find your dream zero emission car.
Misconception #5: you can’t drive an electric car far before needing to recharge
Electric vehicles can’t go as long before needing to be refuelled as fossil fuel powered cars, but that gap is quickly closing.
Not long ago it was inconceivable that an EV could make the trip from Manchester to London on a single charge – now some high-end cars can make it to Paris and still have over 100 miles left to spare.
EV ranges are constantly pushing higher and higher boundaries. The Nissan Leaf has gone from being a 107-mile EV in 2017 to a 245-mile car in just three years. The Fiat 500e started with a mere 84 miles on a single charge to now having versions that can travel 285 miles in some versions. And Tesla continue to set the bar with its upcoming 620-mile ranged Roadster.
All of this while costing around 1/4 of the price of refilling your petrol or diesel alternative.
So there is no reason why you can’t find the right EV deal for you in 2021.
Misconception #6. Electric cars are too slow
It’s surprising to hear that many people believe EV’s are much slower than the fossil fuel alternatives – despite the first ever (and to this day, only) car to record a sub-two-second 0-60mph time being fully electric.
Granted, that is the Tesla Model S Plaid, which is one of the more high-end EV’s. However, even the Nissan Leaf can do it in 6.9 seconds, or the Peugeot e208 that can do this same sprint in just 7.5 seconds. These are both considered middle of the range EV’s, yet they are still quick.
The misconceptions about electric cars being too slow simply do not ring true.
Misconception #7. Electric cars are more expensive to maintain
In most cases, EVs work out much cheaper to maintain than fossil fuel powered cars.
An electric power train includes fewer parts than an internal combustion engine. Therefore, there are fewer things that will need repairing or replacing.
Misconception #8. Electric car batteries don’t last long
Not to be confused with range, there are common misconceptions about electric cars that the batteries degrade severely over time – but this isn’t true.
EV batteries are estimated to last between 10 and 20 years before needing to be replaced. With some manufacturers believing their batteries will actually outlive the car.
Most manufacturers do include warranties on the battery however, these tend to range between 5-8 years. So you don’t need to have any concerns about your batteries life span.
Read our full electric car guide to find out everything you need before deciding
Interested in an electric car, but need more information before you decide? Our all-in-one EV guide provides you with everything you need to make the best decision when buying an EV.
If you’re looking to get a great price on an electric car, Moneyshake helps you find the best offer on the latest EVs, all for fixed monthly payments.
For more information about electric cars and leasing EV’s, check out our other guides.