EV Myth Busters Debunking Common Misconceptions About Electric Cars
Electric Vehicle Myths
Myth #1: Electric vehicles are worse for the climate than gasoline cars because of power plant emissions.
- FACT: Electric vehicles typically have a smaller carbon footprint than gasoline cars, even when accounting for the electricity used for charging.
Electric vehicles (EVs) have no tailpipe emissions. Generating the electricity used to charge EVs, however, may create carbon pollution. The amount varies widely based on how local power is generated, e.g., using coal or natural gas, which emit carbon pollution, versus renewable resources like wind or solar, which do not. Even accounting for these electricity emissions, research shows that an EV is typically responsible for lower levels of greenhouse gases (GHGs) than an average new gasoline car. To the extent that more renewable energy sources like wind and solar are used to generate electricity, the total GHGs associated with EVs could be even lower. (In 2020, renewables became the second-most prevalent U.S. electricity source.1 ) Learn more about electricity production in your area by visiting EPAs Power Profiler interactive web page. By simply inputting your zip code, you can find the energy mix in your region.
EPA and Department of Energy's (DOEs)Beyond Tailpipe Emissions Calculator can help you estimate the greenhouse gas emissions associated with charging and driving an EV or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) where you live. You can select an EV or PHEV model and type in your zip code to see the CO2 emissions and how they stack up against those associated with a gasoline car.
Myth #2: Electric vehicles are worse for the climate than gasoline cars because of battery manufacturing.
- FACT: The greenhouse gas emissions associated with an electric vehicle over its lifetime are typically lower than those from an average gasoline-powered vehicle, even when accounting for manufacturing.
Some studies have shown that making a typical EV can create more carbon pollution than making a gasoline car. This is because of the additional energy required to manufacture an EVs battery. Still, over the lifetime of the vehicle, total GHGemissions associated with manufacturing, charging, and driving an EV are typically lower than the total GHGs associated with a gasoline car. Thats because EVs have zero tailpipe emissions and are typically responsible for significantly fewer GHGs during operation (see Myth 1 above).
For example, researchers at Argonne National Laboratory estimated emissions for both a gasoline car and an EV with a 300-mile electric range. In their estimates, while GHG emissions from EV manufacturing and end-of-life are higher (shown in orange below), total GHGs for the EV are still lower than those for the gasoline car.
Estimates shown2 from GREET 2 2021 are intended to be illustrative only. Estimates represent model year 2020. Emissions will vary based on assumptions about the specific vehicles being compared, EV battery size and chemistry, vehicle lifetimes, and the electricity grid used to recharge the EV, among other factors.
Above, the blue bar represents emissions associated with the battery. The orange bars encompass the rest of the vehicle manufacturing (e.g., extracting materials, manufacturing and assembling other parts, and vehicle assembly) and end-of-life (recycling or disposal). The gray bars represent upstream emissions associated with producing gasoline or electricity (U.S. mix), and the yellow bar shows tailpipe emissions during vehicle operations.
Recycling EV batteries can reduce the emissions associated with making an EV by reducing the need for new materials. While some challenges exist today, research is ongoing to improve the process and rate of EV battery recycling. For more information on EV battery development and recycling, visit:
Myth #3: The increase in electric vehicles entering the market will collapse the U.S. power grid.
- FACT: Electric vehicles have charging strategies that can prevent overloading the grid, and, in some cases, support grid reliability.
It is true that the increasing number of electric vehicles (EVs) on the road will lead to increased electricity demand. Yet, how that impacts the grid will depend on several factors, such as the power level and time of day when vehicles are charged, and the potential for vehicle-to-grid (V2G) charging 3 among others.
- EVs can be charged at off-peak times, such as overnight, when rates are often cheaper. Even with a mix of charging times (so not all nighttime charging), research indicates that sufficient capacity will exist to cover EVs entering the market in the coming years.4 And further down the road, when renewables make up a larger part of our energy mix in many regions, switching to more daytime charging (when some renewables like solar generate energy) with some energy storage capability should allow the grid to handle increases in EV charging.5 California leads the country with more than 1 million electric vehicles and EV charging currently makes up less than 1% of the states grid total load, even during peak hours.6
- EV charging consumed less electricity than water heating and air conditioning in a typical U.S. household in 2020, according to recent data released by the U.S. Energy Information Agency.7
- Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) charging allows EVs to act as a power source that may help with grid reliability by pushing energy back to the grid from an EV battery. This is done by allowing EVs to charge when electricity demand is low and drawing on them when that demand is high.
Long term, higher electricity demand from EV growth may drive the need for upgrades to transmission and distribution infrastructure. Planning for this possibility is underway. The Department of Energys (DOE) Build a Better Grid Initiative, launched as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will provide over $13 billion towards improving the reliability and efficiency of the grid over the next decade. Visit DOEs Bipartisan Infrastructure Programs and search grid infrastructure to see where the initial investments will be made.
Myth #4: There is nowhere to charge.
- FACT: Electric vehicles can be plugged into the same type of outlet as your toaster! When you need to charge while on the road, youll find over 57,000 stations in the U.S. available to the public.
Many people can meet their driving needs by plugging in only at home. Most EVs can be charged with a standard 120 Volt (Level 1) outlet. To charge the vehicle more quickly, you can install a dedicated 240 Volt (Level 2) outlet or charging system. And for those who live in apartments or condominiums, EV charging stations are becoming a more common building amenity.
Access to EV charging will increase significantly in the coming years as a result of government initiatives put in place as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, including an investment of up to $7.5 billion to build out a national network of electric vehicle chargers along highways, and in communities and neighborhoods. In February 2023, the White House announced major progress toward a made-in-America national network of EV chargers.
Interested in seeing how many chargers may be needed in your area? Use DOEs EV Pro Lite Tool to get an estimate on charging needs in your state or metropolitan area as EV adoption grows.
For up-to-date information on EV charging locations, visitDOEs Alternative Fuel Data Center.
Myth #5: Electric vehicles dont have enough range to handle daily travel demands.
- FACT: Electric vehicle range is more than enough for typical daily use in the U.S.
EVs have sufficient range to cover a typical households daily travel, which is approximately 50 miles on average per day.8 The majority of households (roughly 85%) travel under 100 miles on a typical day. Most EV models go above 200 miles on a fully-charged battery, with nearly all new models traveling more than 100 miles on a single charge. And automakers have announced plans to release even more long-range models in the coming years.
Range estimates for specific EVs are available from the Find A Car tool on www.fueleconomy.govclick on the car you are interested in, and check out the EPA Fuel Economy line in the table.
How you drive your vehicle and the driving conditions, including hot and cold weather, also affect the range of an EV; for instance, researchers found on average range could decrease about 40% due to cold temperatures and the use of heat.9
Myth #6: Electric vehicles are not as safe as comparable gasoline vehicles.
- FACT: Electric vehicles must meet the same safety standards as conventional vehicles.
All light duty cars and trucks sold in the United States must meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. To meet these standards, vehicles must undergo an extensive, long-established testing process, regardless of whether the vehicle operates on gasoline or electricity. Separately, EV battery packs must meet their own testing standards. Moreover, EVs are designed with additional safety features that shut down the electrical system when they detect a collision or short circuit.
For more information, visit DOEs Alternative Fuel Data Center.
1 U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA): Renewables became the second-most prevalent U.S. electricity source in 2020.
2 Assumptions: EV with 300-mile range; vehicle lifetime of 173,151 miles for both EV and gas car; 30.7 MPG gas car; and U.S. average grid emissions.
3 Department of Energy (DOE), Federal Energy Management Program, Bidirectional Charging and Electric Vehicles for Mobile Storage.
4 U.S. Driving Research and Innovation for Vehicle Efficiency and Energy Sustainability (USDRIVE), Summary Report on EVs at Scale and the U.S. Electric Power System (pdf) (706 KB, November 2019); and DOE, Electric Vehicles at Scale Phase I Analysis: High EV Adoption Impacts on the Western U.S. Power Grid (pdf) (15.3 MB, July 2020).
5 Nature Energy, Charging infrastructure access and operation to reduce the grid impacts of deep electric vehicle adoption, September 22, 2022.
6 E & E News: Renewable Energy, Why Electric Vehicles Wont Break the Grid, September 19, 2022.
7 U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2020 Residential Energy Consumption Survey, Detailed end-use consumption and expenditure estimates, Tables CE5.3a (pdf) (436 KB) & CE5.3b (pdf) (371 KB) June 2023.
8 US DOT FHWA (2018). 2017 National Household Travel Survey.
9 AAA Electric Vehicle Range Testing Report (pdf) (7.3 MB, February 2019)
Electric vehicles: debunking the myths
Fact: Developments in battery component extraction mean processing centres can extract 98% of battery materials for recycling or reuse.
You may have heard another EV myth that electric vehicle batteries either cant be recycled or are challenging to recycle and ultimately end up in landfill. This simply isnt true.
Electric vehicle batteries can be recycled at processing centres. Some companies can even remove your electric vehicle battery and put it to use in your home or sell it on for commercial use. If you have solar panels, an electric vehicle battery can be repurposed to store the electricity they generate, helping keep your electricity costs down. Now, thats what we call resourceful.
Electric vehicle batteries that arent repurposed are now shipped to EU processing centres. This is a short-term solution as the UK Government is working with partners to set up a sustainable battery recycling chain in the UK.
Are you curious to find out more about EV batteries and their lifecycle? Read our blog on electric vehicle batteries.
There are many misconceptions about EVs, but dont believe all the myths you hear. EVs are here to stay.
The UK Government will end thesale of new petrol, diesel and hybrid cars and vans from 2035. Take the time now to get ahead and go electric.
Common misconceptions about electric cars
Think electric cars are way beyond your budget? Worried that charging is complicated? Heard murmurings that electric vehicles arent actually that environmentally friendly? There are plenty of misconceptions around electric cars, so we wanted to take a moment to set out the facts about EVs, and debunk some of the most common myths.
Ready to set the record straight?
Are EVs expensive?
Electric cars tend to have higher upfront costs if youre buying one outright, thats true, but longer term youll save money by making the switch. On average, maintenance and fuel costs are much lower for EVs than petrol or diesel cars, and you could enjoy savings of up to 150 a month on fuelling your car, like many of our drivers do. You also wont pay any congestion fees or any road tax until 2025..
Theres also much more choice, and with a spectrum of price points available. Not every electric car is a 50,000 premium model. There are different types of electric vehicles to suit all needs and budgets, with affordable models launching all the time.
Do EVs have the battery range to travel far?
A typical electric vehicle battery range is anywhere between 100 to 300 miles. The average journeys most of us make are under 25 miles. So you can relax, knowing theres more than enough miles in your average EV to make your daily commute and then some.
Will I need to replace an EVs battery after 5 years?
There are millions of electric cars already on the roads across the world and theres no evidence to suggest that EV batteries only last a few years. Most batteries now have a lifespan of a decade or more and this continues to improve as technology advances.
Plus, most EV batteries come with an 8 to 10-year or 100,000-mile warranty, so you wont have to worry about replacing your EV battery anytime soon.
Can you recycle batteries from EVs?
Its illegal to dispose of EV batteries in landfill or via incineration. Car manufacturers are legally required to take back EV batteries for free and recycle them.
With electric car sales soaring and environmental trends in business gaining popularity, it makes business sense for companies to reuse and recycle battery materials. Some manufacturers, like Volkswagen, are even trialling recycling processes that could see almost 100% of materials repurposed.
Are there enough EV charge points in the UK?
There are over 42,000 public charge points currently available across the UK, with hundreds of new ones being added to the network every month. So theres plenty of charging capacity.
Many drivers install a charger at home, making charging their car cheap and convenient. What about the cost of installing an EV charger? On average this will set you back about 1,000, but government grants can fund up to 75% of the cost. Even better, get one installed for free when you lease your EV from us.
Does charging an EV take a long time?
As most people who have a home charger do it overnight, this isnt something most of us need to worry about. But if youre on the move and need a quick boost, rapid charge points can recharge a battery in as little as 20 minutes.
Can you charge an EV if you dont have a drive?
Access to off-street parking isnt essential for charging. Thousands of public charge points are available on the street, and at supermarkets, leisure centres, and car parks. Local authorities continue to improve access to public charge points for electric car drivers without private parking. And you can always check out Co Charger, the Air bnb of charging, to rent out your neighbours driveway if youre stuck.
Are public EV charging points always broken?
From time to time you might find an out-of-action charge point, but thankfully its relatively uncommon. As more charging points are added, there will naturally be more working charge points to choose from.
Is EV charging complicated, because there are too many different apps and connectors?
In the UK there is an ever growing number of different charging networks.. In the past, each operator required you to register and use their specific app or charge card to use a charging station. Thats no longer the case, as many new charge points now let you pay as you go with a contactless credit or debit card. Smart solutions, like Electroverse are also making using different networks easier by creating one app and charge card that can be used across multiple networks.
The Government mandated in 2017 that new and replacement charge points had to offer standard connectors, so almost all EVs can now connect to the entire charging network.
Keen to delve deeper into EV charging points? Check out our guide on how to use electric car charging points.
Will the energy grid cope if everyone buys an EV?
Its estimated that by 2050, EVs will account for around 20% of total electricity demand. That might sound like a lot, but with grid updates and investments in renewable generation, National Grid, the UKs main electricity distributor, is confident that the grid can comfortably cope with the increased demand.
Smart charging technologies will also be better at balancing demand. For example, EVs can be charged overnight or when renewable energy is readily available and cheaper in price.
Are EVs greener'? What about emissions from their manufacturing and electricity generation?
EVs do increase demand for electricity generation, but the significant thing to consider is how the energy is generated. Burning coal to generate electricity isnt very good for the planet. But currently, more than 40% of the UKs electricity generation comes from renewable and low-carbon sources. Intelligent Octopus Go uses green energy to charge your EV with the added bonus of low rates between 11.30pm-5.30am.
As we continue to move towards renewable energy sources and more environmentally friendly power generation overall, EVs will continue to be the greener and more sustainable option.
Check out this blog we recently wrote on sustainable EV manufacturing.
Would it be easier to switch all petrol and diesel cars to burn hydrogen?
Burning hydrogen in a conventional engine still produces CO2 and nitrogen oxide, so this doesnt provide a zero emission solution. But, hydrogen fuel cells are much cleaner than traditional petrol and diesel, only producing water. Hydrogen is expected to play a bigger role, particularly with heavier transport vehicles in future, but for standard cars, electric vehicles are the preferred option.
Keen to embrace a greener, cheaper, and more sustainable electric vehicle? Take a peek at our range of fantastic, affordable electric cars and start your electric journey today.
