Part 1: The Top 5 EV Myths (Busted!)

It just takes reading the news headlines to realise that whilst electric vehicles are becoming more mainstream, misinformation is still rampant.

This mixture of half-truths and downright lies are the subject of campaigns by traditional vehicle and oil companies, and chances are you’ve heard someone explain to you it’s the reason they won't buy an EV. 

We’ve separated fact from fiction by debunking the top five myths around electric vehicles in this handy guide. 

1. EVs catch on fire regularly

One of the most common myths is that EVs are likely to catch on fire, posing an extreme fire risk. However, the truth is that petrol and diesel cars are around twenty times more likely to catch on fire than an EV. 

In the negligible cases of battery fires from EVs since 2010, most of them can be accounted to a serious external factor like arson or a high-speed crash. 

2. EV batteries don't last

We can see where this is stemming from, as we all are accustomed to the short battery life of lithium batteries in our phones. EV batteries are constructed a lot more durably, using better charging systems that are constantly monitored and controlled. EV batteries not only last, but last well. In fact, industry experts widely accept that batteries will typically outlast the chassis of an EV. Studies suggest that even older model Tesla Model S and Model X have a low battery degradation rate of just 10% after 250,000km has been driven. 

3. EVs don't have enough range

The Tesla Model S Placid+ takes the cake in Australia as the EV with the longest range, with a driving range of 837km. Most EVs can travel anywhere between 300-600km on a single charge. But given that the average Aussie drives around 38km per day, you could be hypothetically charging every ten days without an issue. 

4. EVs aren’t environmentally friendly 

This one’s a bit more complicated because it’s true that the EV lifecycle isn’t fully emission-free. That being said, in comparison to internal combustion engine vehicles, EVs are a significantly cleaner form of transport as they have no exhaust emissions. 

However, if fossil fuels are used to generate the electricity used to charge the car, there are emissions being generated. In the worst-case scenario where only non-renewable sources were used to create the electricity used to power an EV, the emissions generated are typically still approximately 30% less than that for petrol cars. 

5. EVs are too expensive to maintain

This is a quick and easy myth to stop in its tracks. Simply put, EVs have less moving parts and hence fewer components that need servicing in comparison to petrol or diesel vehicles! 

Some owners are even estimated to save around $300-$400 per year in maintenance costs as a result, when comparing an equivalent “traditional” car. 

It’s clear that EV’s don’t deserve their reputation, and we hope that this information prepares you for the next discussion you overhear about the future of transport. Stay tuned for Part 2 of this blog, where we’ll break down EV charging myths. 

If you have any questions about electric vehicle charging, reach out to our friendly sales team at sayhi@evos.com.au