Like any new technology, battery operated electric vehicles have faced their fair share of criticism from sceptics. EVs seen on the road today are far more advanced than the ones first available around 10 years ago, but they still seem to come with outdated critiques from the media, car enthusiasts, and drivers in general.
We understand that stepping into an EV for the first time can be an intimidating feat, especially with false statements being thrown around. That’s why we have put together the following page to separate the facts from the fiction about information surrounding EVs, as part of our wider TC Harrison Ford EVU (Electric Vehicle University) scheme.
Whilst it’s true in the early days of EV innovation that cars couldn’t travel too far on a single charge, newer EVs are built with larger, more powerful batteries capable of much further distances between charges.
For example, when the first mass produced EV, the Nissan Leaf, was introduced in 2010, it could only travel around 73 miles on a single charge. This was fine for city commuters and for driving around towns and villages, but struggled to keep up with those wishing to put some serious daily mileage on their car. Nowadays, vehicles such as the All-Electric Ford Capri can travel a staggering 389 miles on a single charge*, meaning any feelings of range anxiety once felt can disappear, and further distances can be travelled without restrictions.
To put this into perspective, this is enough charge to travel from Big Ben in London to the Scottish Border without the need to charge up!
Charging infrastructure in the UK has been a long drawn out topic in the electric car argument. As of November 2024, there are over 70,000 charging stations across the UK, compared to only around 8,000 petrol stations.
If you have a home charger, you can opt to charge your vehicle overnight for convenience, often at a cheaper price than filling up at the petrol station. If you can’t use a home charger, there are many EV chargers in fuel stations, supermarket car parks, and other public areas for you to use for a price.
You can find your nearest public charging point using Zapmap's handy tool.
One of the most persistent myths about electric vehicles is that their batteries don't last. This misconception often leads potential buyers to shy away from EVs due to fears of expensive battery replacements, or being stranded with a dead battery. However, the reality is quite different.
Many manufacturers, including Ford, offer extensive warranties on their EV batteries. For instance, Ford covers batteries against excessive capacity loss for up to 8 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first! This warranty ensures that if the battery's capacity drops below a certain threshold within the warranty period, it will be replaced at no cost to the owner.
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Another common misconception about EVs is that they are more prone to fires than conventional ICE vehicles. This issue often comes from highly publicised incidents of EV fires, pushed into the media by electric car sceptics. Many vehicle fires that are shared around social media sites are often falsely attributed to EVs by people who don’t have all the facts.
Data from Sweden shows that petrol and diesel cars are 20 times more likely to catch fire than their fully electric counterparts. This stark difference comes from the fact EVs have less combustible materials and operate at much lower temperatures, reducing the risk of fire. To contrast this, ICE cars carry flammable liquids and have high temperature components, which can lead to an increased chance of a fire if there’s a problem.
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A concern from a lot of EV opposition is the environmental impact of the car’s batteries, with some people believing that they will inevitably end up in landfill. This myth, however, overlooks the significant advancements made in battery recycling and sustainable economy initiatives within the EV industry.
At the end of an EVs battery life 95% of the elements used in Ford's batteries can be reused or recycled into new EV batteries! This high recycling rate is a testament to the industry's commitment to sustainability and resource conservation. By recovering and reusing valuable materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel, manufacturers can reduce the demand for newly mined resources and lower the environmental impact of battery production.
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Another issue people seem to have is thinking maintaining an EV is more expensive than an ICE car. This misunderstanding often stems from the higher upfront cost of EVs and perceived complexity of their technology. However, the reality is that EVs generally have lower maintenance costs due to their simpler design and fewer moving parts.
In a combustion car, there are around 2,000 moving parts, including the engine, transmission, and various belts and hoses. In contrast, an EV only has about 20 moving parts. This significant reduction in mechanical complexity translates to less wear and tear, fewer components that can fail, and lower maintenance requirements.
Added advantages of EVs are they do not require many of the routine maintenance tasks associated with ICE vehicles, such as:
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EVs are actually 59% less likely to break down compared with ICE vehicles. This statistic highlights the superior reliability of EVs, which can be attributed to their simpler mechanical design and fewer moving parts. With fewer components that can fail, EVs offer a more dependable driving experience.
Only 2% of calls for the AA in 2023 were for out-of-charge EVs. This low percentage indicates that running out of charge is a relatively rare occurrence for EV drivers. Modern EVs are equipped with advanced battery management systems that provide accurate range estimates and warnings when the battery is low, helping drivers avoid being stranded.
A common concern among potential EV owners is that using accessories like lights and wipers will significantly reduce the vehicle's range. This myth often leads people to believe that EVs are impractical for everyday use, especially in conditions that require frequent use of these features. However, the reality is that the impact of these accessories on an EV's range is minimal.
Contrary to popular belief, you would need to run wipers for around 10 hours to use even 1 kWh of battery power. To put this into perspective, the standard Ford Capri model has a 55 kWh battery. This means that even extensive use of wipers would have a negligible impact on the overall range of the vehicle.
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*Range and charge time based on manufacturer computer methodology using DC faster charger. the charging rate decreases as battery reaches full capacity. Your results may vary based on peak charging times and battery state of charge. Actual range varies with conditions such as external environment, vehicle use vehicle maintenance, lithium-ion battery age and state of health.