Electric vehicles (EVs) have quickly gained traction as a cleaner, more sustainable alternative to traditional petrol and diesel cars. However, with the rapid adoption of new technology often comes a wave of misconceptions and outdated beliefs. These myths can create confusion and even deter potential buyers who are considering making the switch.
In this first part of our two-part series, we’ll tackle some of the most common myths about EVs, focusing on concerns related to their environmental impact, battery life, and practicality. Let’s dive in and separate fact from fiction to give you a clearer picture of the true benefits of electric vehicles.
EVs Produce More Pollution Overall Than Petrol and Diesel Cars
While the manufacturing of electric vehicles, especially their batteries, does produce some initial emissions, studies consistently show that EVs emit significantly less pollution over their entire lifespan compared to petrol and diesel cars.
For instance, the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) found that EVs produce up to 70% fewer emissions over their lifecycle than traditional cars, largely due to zero tailpipe emissions and their use of renewable energy sources.
The U.S. Department of Energy reports that even when powered by an average energy grid mix (including fossil fuels), EVs significantly reduce greenhouse gases compared to gasoline vehicles. This difference is even greater in regions where renewable energy is more prominent, like California, where EVs are expected to emit 75% less over their lifetime.
EVs Generate More Particulate Matter Pollution Due to Heavier Weight and Tire Wear
Although EVs can be heavier than traditional cars due to battery weight, which could increase tire wear, their emissions are lower overall. EVs produce no exhaust emissions and benefit from regenerative braking, which reduces brake dust.
A 2019 study by the University of Edinburgh concluded that while EVs might produce slightly more tire bwear due to weight, they generate significantly less brake dust (up to 90% less in some cases) than traditional vehicles. Additionally, the UK’s Air Quality Expert Group (AQEG) found that EVs have an overall lower particulate matter (PM2.5) impact in urban areas compared to petrol and diesel vehicles.
The Electricity Grid Cannot Handle the Additional Demand from EV Charging
While an increase in EV adoption does add demand, many energy providers are prepared to handle it. Grid improvements, renewable energy integration, and smart charging systems are helping grids accommodate the gradual rise in EVs.
National Grid UK, for instance, projects that even if every car in the UK became electric, the grid could handle the demand by leveraging smart chargers and overnight charging.
The U.S. Department of Energy is similarly expanding infrastructure with renewable sources to manage this load, and the concept of “vehicle-to-grid” (V2G) technology is being explored to allow EVs to return power to the grid during peak hours, further balancing demand.
Public EV Charging Stations Are Insufficient and Unreliable
Charging infrastructure has rapidly expanded in recent years, with governments and companies worldwide increasing the number of chargers. In the U.S., the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has allocated $7.5 billion toward EV charging, aiming to place fast chargers along key highways every 50 miles.
The UK’s Rapid Charging Fund is working to ensure every driver is within 30 miles of a rapid charger on major roads. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the number of public EV chargers increased by 55% globally in 2022 alone. Major charging networks, such as Tesla’s Supercharger and ChargePoint, have made great strides to ensure reliability, often with uptime rates above 95%.
Charging an EV Takes Longer Than Refueling and Is Inconvenient
While it’s true that charging an EV takes longer than filling a petrol tank, this process is often more convenient for daily driving. Fast chargers can replenish most EV batteries to 80% in 20–40 minutes, suitable for long road trips or errands.
For daily use, around 80% of EV owners charge their cars at home overnight, meaning they rarely need public chargers. And with more ultra-fast chargers on the way, future charging times are expected to rival conventional fuel refueling times within the next decade.
EV Batteries Deteriorate Quickly, with Driving Range Diminishing Significantly Over Time
Concerns about EV battery deterioration are often exaggerated. Most EVs lose only around 2-3% of their capacity per year, according to a study by Recurrent Auto, which means that even after five years, a typical EV with a 300-mile range would still cover about 270 miles.
Furthermore, manufacturers like Tesla (TSLA), Nissan (7201.T), and General Motors (GM) offer warranties that cover battery health for eight years or up to 150,000 miles, ensuring drivers that battery performance will remain robust.
Research from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) indicates that batteries can last well beyond 150,000 miles, especially as battery management technologies continue to improve.
Replacement EV Batteries Are Prohibitively Expensive
While early EVs had high replacement costs, the prices of EV batteries are steadily dropping as technology advances. Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) estimates that battery costs have fallen significatly over the past decade and are expected to continue to decrease, reaching an average cost of $80 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) by 2030.
This translates to a replacement cost for most EVs being under $5,000, a manageable amount, especially considering that most batteries last the life of the vehicle. Additionally, as EV technology evolves, the likelihood of needing a full replacement decreases significantly.
Charging an EV from the Grid Isn’t ‘Green’ and Negates Environmental Benefits
While some grids still use fossil fuels, EVs remain more efficient than ICE vehicles even when powered by coal-based grids. EVs convert 60-70% of the grid electricity they consume into forward motion, compared to about 30-35% efficiency for petrol cars. Additionally, the shift toward renewable sources like wind, solar, and hydropower continues to “green” the grid worldwide.
For example, a study by NRMA and PwC in Australia states that EVs emit about 98g CO₂/km compared to 185g for gasoline cars. EVs charged from renewable sources, like home solar, can achieve near-zero emissions while driving.
EVs Are Unsuitable for Towing Due to Range and Power Limitations
Many modern EVs can handle towing tasks quite effectively, with some models offering tow ratings of up to 5,000 pounds (e.g., the Tesla Model X and Rivian R1T). While towing does reduce range, it affects ICE vehicles similarly.
A test by Edmunds on the Ford F-150 Lightning showed that towing impacted range by about 50%, comparable to fuel consumption increases for ICE trucks under similar towing conditions. Additionally, EVs produce instant torque, making them well-suited for towing lighter loads, and advancements in battery density promise even better towing capabilities in the future.
EVs Are Too Slow Compared to ICE Vehicles
This myth stems from early EVs, but today’s models demonstrate impressive acceleration thanks to instant torque. For example, the Tesla Model S Plaid accelerates from 0-60 mph in under 2 seconds, making it one of the fastest production cars in the world.
Even mid-range models like the Ford (F) Mustang Mach-E or Hyundai (HYMTF) Ioniq 5 can match or outperform comparable ICE vehicles in acceleration. This performance advantage is due to the lack of a transmission and the immediate torque generated by electric motors.
EV Production Creates More Pollution Than Manufacturing ICE Vehicles
The production of EVs, especially batteries, can initially result in higher emissions than ICE vehicles, but EVs quickly offset this “carbon debt” over their operational lifespan. The Argonne National Laboratory’s GREET model shows that an EV reaches a lower lifetime carbon footprint than a comparable petrol car after around 15,000 to 30,000 miles.
This “break-even” point varies by region, depending on the carbon intensity of the energy grid. Additionally, battery recycling and the shift to renewable energy in manufacturing facilities are reducing emissions from EV production even further.
EVs Require Excessive Mileage to Offset Their Manufacturing Emissions
The “break-even” mileage for EVs to surpass ICE vehicles in terms of environmental impact depends on the energy grid mix. In countries with cleaner grids, like Norway, EVs break even at as few as 8,000 miles. In places with coal-heavy grids, the break-even point is closer to 30,000 miles.
With the rapid adoption of renewable energy and advancements in battery production, this offset period will continue to shorten. As grid emissions decrease over time, the emissions benefits of EVs will be even more significant, cementing their role in reducing carbon footprints over the long term.
EV Batteries Cannot Be Recycled and End Up in Landfills
Contrary to the idea that EV batteries are simply discarded, they are actually highly recyclable. Companies like Redwood Materials and Li-Cycle specialize in extracting valuable materials like lithium, nickel, and cobalt from used batteries, enabling these resources to be repurposed.
In fact, up to 95% of an EV battery’s components can be recycled and used to produce new batteries. Furthermore, EV batteries that no longer hold enough charge for vehicles are often repurposed for grid storage or backup energy systems, extending their usefulness and supporting a circular economy.
Driving Forward with Facts
As we’ve explored in this first part, many of the common criticisms of electric vehicles are based on outdated information or misunderstandings. From the realities of their emissions and environmental benefits to the advancements in battery technology, it’s clear that EVs have made significant strides toward becoming a practical and sustainable choice for many drivers.
The future of transportation is electric, and the more we understand the facts, the better equipped we are to embrace this shift with confidence. Stay tuned for the second part, where we’ll continue debunking EV myths and explore topics like charging infrastructure, safety, and performance.
