Debunked: 5 Common Myths About Electric Vehicles

Debunked: 5 Common Myths About Electric Vehicles

Advancement and innovation in the arena of vehicular propulsion is the primary cause of several myths and doubts arising around electric vehicles and their usage.

While autonomous cars have been in the news off lately, the myths around electric vehicles are increasing at the speed of knots!

These serious fabrications around electricity as a source of transportation has deterred people from buying electric vehicles.

However, most of the myths and theories have been reported falsely by advocates of traditional transportation methods.

With this article, we aim to debunk these myths around electric vehicles. But first, let’s start with the basics.

What Are Electric Vehicles?

Electric Vehicles

Most often, EVs are powered by self-contained batteries, fuel cells, solar panels, or a generator.

Electric Vehicles primarily run only on electricity although several hybrid vehicles have also been introduced lately that use a combination of an electric motor and an ICE (internal combustion engine).

 

Types Of Electric Vehicles

1. Plug-In Hybrids

Plug-in hybrids are the most common form of electric vehicles currently dominating the auto market.

Plug-in hybrids predominantly use a combination of a gasoline or diesel engine that is supplemented with a large rechargeable battery or electric motor.

The battery can be recharged by plugging into a specific outlet. The conventional engine takes over once the battery runs out of power.

Cars like the Honda NSX, McLaren P1, Porsche 918, and BMW i8.

2. Fully Electric

Fully electric vehicles are powered solely with an electric motor that uses a large battery to power the vehicle and to propel it.

These vehicles don’t have a traditional internal combustion engine. The battery is normally recharged through grid electricity, usually from a dedicated charging outlet or a wall socket.

Tesla – The Game Changer

Elon Musk’s Tesla Motors has changed the electric vehicles market for the better with the introduction of cars that are not only gorgeous to look at and packed with futuristic features, but they also come equipped with batteries and motors that offer a really long-range.

Tesla produced its first highway legal battery-electric vehicle in the form of the Tesla Roadster from 2008-2012.

About 2450 Roadsters were sold in more than 30 countries living up to the promise of traveling distance of 320 kms per charge.

The car went on to win multiple awards including the most distance covered by an electric car in a single charge – 501km.

Today some of the most sought out models are the Model S, Model 3 and the Model X.

 

Myths Surrounding Electric Vehicles

1. Travel Distance Is Too Short

A rumor that has spread like wildfire is one regarding the range of EVs.

Most consumers and speculators believe that electric vehicles offer poor battery range and aren’t capable of putting in the miles that a conventional vehicle is capable of doing.

This has caused range anxiety among EV owners. To give you an example, Tesla’s Model S Long-Range can do up to 375 miles on a full charge.

2. Electric Car Batteries Hurt The Environment

A major chunk of the components and parts used in electric cars are recyclable and thus they’re quite unlikely to be thrown away.

The notion that electric vehicles harm the environment is a farce created by backers of combustion engines to get prospects to reconsider their options.

Furthermore, manufacturers of electric vehicles are looking to find alternate uses of older batteries and electric motors for applications at homes or for other commercial purposes.

3. Electric Vehicles Are Unsafe

Most of the EVs produced are tested for their crashworthiness and results have shown that they fare quite well, especially when it comes to occupant protection.

The myth that the body structure or build-quality has been compromised in electric vehicles is untrue.

The frequency and severity of batteries catching fire are only comparable to or less likely than regular gasoline or diesel-powered vehicles.

4. Electric Vehicles Are Expensive To Maintain

EVs use an electric motor which powers the wheels. This simple setup means there are fewer moving parts as opposed to their traditional engine counterparts.

Since they don’t use a combustion engine, you don’t need to indulge in timely service and maintenance like oil change and other ‘engine’ tune-ups are out of the question.

With EVs, you do not need to worry about parts failing and requiring replacements as compared to a regular vehicle.

5. Electric Vehicles Strain The Power Grid

This is untrue for a variety of reasons. Firstly, most people will charge their cars at work or at home.

One charge is around 16 amperes (single-phase current used for households), which is less than that used by a dryer.

Plus, many people choose to charge their cars at night, where the strain on the grid is naturally low in comparison. This is because energy usage is minimal during the night.

Final Thoughts

EVs are definitely here to stay. The fact that all major automobile manufacturers are getting into the game shows the potential of electricity as a means of propulsion.

These myths are only set to increase and hamper the image of EVs. However, these myths should not be given too much attention and if you are going to invest in an EV, then be sure to thoroughly research the basics.

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