Range anxiety is still one of the biggest issues that prevents people from making the switch to EVs. But here’s the thing: the average car journey in England is under 100 miles, and the average range of an EV is more than 200 miles – meaning that most of your day-to-day journeys will be covered.

When planning longer journeys, it’s easier than ever to incorporate a quick charge into your pit stop along with a comfort break and a bite to eat. That’s because, these days, most service stations offer a number of rapid and ultra-rapid charge points. So, even if you have a lengthy commute or are planning on using your EV for cross-country drives, you’ll be covered. All you need to do is choose an EV with the right capacity to suit your lifestyle.

With the unpredictable weather we have in the UK, we’re pleased to confirm that this simply isn’t true. EVs are 100% safe to charge, no matter the weather. All EVs go through rigorous testing before launch, including electrical safety. So, your electric vehicle will be safe to drive – and charge – in the rain.

It’s true that a home charger is the most convenient option, but you don’t have to have one. And not having one won’t stop you from owning an EV. More and more charge points are popping up in lots of accessible places, such as supermarkets, hotels, garden centres and even on street lampposts.

In fact, the government is also planning to increase the number of public charging points in the UK to 300,000, with 6,000 on motorways and major A roads by 2035. This means you’ll never be too far from a public charging point.

Contrary to this myth, many electric vehicles are known for their impressive acceleration and speed. Due to their instant torque, EVs can often outperform traditional combustion engine cars in 0-60 mph tests. The lack of gears in an EV means that power is delivered smoothly and immediately when you press the accelerator, making for a fast and responsive driving experience.

While it’s true that charging an EV can take longer than filling up a petrol tank, charging times are continually improving. Depending on the charger and your vehicle’s battery size, an EV can charge from 0% to 80% in under three hours at a public charge point. Rapid chargers can top up your battery in just 10-30 minutes, perfect for a quick coffee break.

Most EV owners charge their vehicles overnight at home or during the day at work, so you’re unlikely to rely solely on public charging. Plus, as battery technology advances, charging times will continue to decrease.

EV batteries do experience some self-discharge, but it’s minimal. If your vehicle is parked for an extended period, there won’t be a significant loss of charge. To ensure your battery remains healthy while you’re away, leave it with at least 40% charge. This practice will give you enough range when you return, even after a long holiday.

With 90% fewer moving parts than traditional vehicles, EVs generally have lower maintenance costs. There’s no need for oil changes, spark plug replacements, or complex transmission repairs. Regenerative braking also extends the life of your brake pads, reducing the frequency of replacements. While EVs still require routine maintenance, they tend to be more reliable and less costly to upkeep than petrol or diesel cars.

EVs can indeed tow, but like all vehicles, they must be “type approved” for towing, ensuring they don’t exceed their tow capacity. When it comes to being towed, it’s recommended to use a flatbed truck, as EVs lack a neutral gear and shouldn’t be towed on two wheels for long distances. If your EV needs to be moved in an emergency, it can be towed slowly to a safe location.

While EVs are quieter than traditional cars, they’re not silent. Since July 2019, regulations require all EVs to emit artificial noise when driving at low speeds, making them audible to pedestrians. At higher speeds, tire and wind noise provide additional sound, ensuring safety for those nearby.

This is a misconception. Electric vehicles are no more likely to catch fire than petrol or diesel cars. EVs undergo rigorous safety testing, including battery durability and crash resistance, ensuring they meet strict safety standards. In the rare event of a fire, EV batteries take longer to ignite, giving passengers more time to exit the vehicle safely.

The UK has one of Europe’s most extensive EV charging networks, with over 75,700 charge point connectors as of August 2023. Whether you’re in a rural area or a major city, there’s a growing number of charging options available. Apps like Zapmap make it easy to locate and navigate to nearby chargers, ensuring you’re always connected.

While it’s true that the grid could be strained if everyone charged their EVs at the same time, this scenario is unlikely. The UK’s energy sector is planning to support the increasing number of EVs, with an aim to reach 100% zero-carbon energy by 2035. Additionally, smart charging solutions, like Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology, allow EVs to feed energy back into the grid during peak times, helping to balance demand.

Public charging has become increasingly user-friendly. Many charge points now offer contactless payment, and new regulations will soon require all public chargers to accept contactless cards. Apps like Zap-Pay also streamline the process, allowing you to pay for charging through a single app. With nearly all EVs using Type 2 cables, plugging in is straightforward and hassle-free.

While occasional charger issues can happen, the government is pushing for a 99% operational rate across the UK’s charging network. Tools like Zapmap allow you to report and avoid broken chargers, and with new chargers added regularly, the chances of finding a functional charge point are high. Even if a charger is out of order, others nearby are typically available.

During a power cut, your EV may be temporarily unable to charge, but once power is restored, you can resume charging as normal. Since most drivers won’t wait until their battery is near 0%, brief power outages shouldn’t significantly impact your ability to drive.

Current legislation prohibits the disposal of EV batteries in landfills. Instead, used batteries are often repurposed for energy storage or broken down to recover valuable materials like nickel, cobalt, and lithium. Recycling and repurposing initiatives are continually evolving, ensuring that EV batteries contribute to a circular economy.

EVs are significantly more eco-friendly than petrol and diesel vehicles. They produce zero tailpipe emissions and have a lower overall carbon footprint, especially as the electrical grid becomes greener. Over the lifetime of an EV, from production to disposal, they have a much smaller environmental impact compared to traditional cars.

While the mining of raw materials for EV batteries has raised concerns, significant strides have been made to reduce dependency on scarce resources like cobalt. Many EV batteries now use more abundant materials, and global efforts are underway to improve mining practices and develop local supply chains. Additionally, the total amount of cobalt in EV batteries is much lower than in everyday items like smartphones.

Hydrogen may play a role in the future of transportation, but it’s currently far less efficient and more energy-intensive to produce compared to electricity. While hydrogen has potential, EVs are already a practical, widely adopted solution, with the infrastructure and technology in place to support a large-scale shift to electric driving.