Myths and Misconceptions of EVs
In our previous blog, we discussed the difficulty in comparing an electric vehicle (EV) to a vehicle with an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE), but the industry is still plagued by myths and misconceptions about EVs. Here, we’ll attempt to demystify some of the most common ones for you.
Refuelling time
Yes — it still takes longer to recharge an EV than to refuel an ICE. But ask yourself this: do you have a petrol or diesel pump at your home? If you have private parking or a driveway, you can likely have a home charger installed, allowing you to conveniently charge your EV overnight while you sleep.
Charging Infrastructure in the UK
If home charging isn’t an option, the UK public charging network is your likely go-to, unless you’re fortunate to have an employer that provides workplace charging. While on the surface, the infrastructure may look patchy, it’s actually much better than many people believe.
You might notice a distinct lack of EV chargers on traditional petrol station forecourts — and you’d be right. But did you know that most EV charging points in the UK aren’t located at fuel stations?
You’re far more likely to find chargers at supermarkets, shopping centres, gyms, restaurants, pubs and even roadside locations. In fact, according to Zap-Map, one of the UK’s leading EV charger locator apps, at the end of January 2025 there were over 60,000 charging
devices across more than 34,000 locations nationwide. While far from perfect, it’s more extensive than most people realise.
Another factor is the type of charger available. Some EVs can charge from 20% to 80% in as little as 10 minutes using a 350kW DC rapid charger. However, these are still relatively limited to motorway services and key hubs, tend to be more expensive, and frequent use can degrade your EV battery quicker than a slower AC charge. Ultimately, your charging choice depends on how much time you have and what’s nearby.
The key is to start seeing EV charging as a parallel activity — something you do while you sleep, work, shop or exercise, rather than a separate trip like refuelling a petrol or diesel car.
Battery Range Anxiety
Battery range remains a frequently cited concern, but with a simple adjustment to your thinking, it’s less of an issue than most realise. Several studies have shown that the average daily mileage in the UK is around 28 miles. That means most people travel under 200 miles a week.
For those who can charge at home, this makes battery range a non-issue. And even for those without home charging, adopting the practice of ‘grazing’ on electricity when convenient makes this kind of weekly mileage perfectly achievable.
On the odd occasion when a longer journey is
needed, a little additional route planning (using your EV’s built-in sat nav or a charging app like Zap-Map) ensures your battery stays topped up.
EV Cost vs ICE Cost
It’s true — the purchase cost of an EV remains higher than a similar-sized ICE vehicle. But the conversation shouldn’t end there. It’s important to consider the total cost of ownership, which includes not just the purchase price (and depreciation) but also:
• Fuel and charging costs
• Servicing and maintenance
• Insurance
• Road tax
At time of writing, in the UK, EVs still benefit from zero road tax (though this is set to change in the future — but it’s likely EVs purchased now will retain some legacy exemptions). Refuelling is also cheaper: charging a 77kWh battery on an off-peak home electricity tariff in 2025 costs around £7.50 for a full charge. Even with a lower range than an ICE, the cost per mile travelled is typically much lower.
With fewer moving parts, EV servicing costs are also generally lower, especially in the first three years. For instance, brakes last longer due to regenerative braking, and there’s no engine oil or exhaust system to replace.
The environmental impact debate
This remains a contentious subject. Let’s be clear — any form of motorised travel has an environmental cost. Whether it’s mining for crude oil or extracting rare earth metals for batteries, we’re impacting the environment either way.
Studies vary, but it’s widely accepted that both EVs and ICE vehicles have significant carbon footprints from manufacture. ICE vehicles then continue to emit CO2 and harmful gases every time they’re driven, whereas EVs are only as green as the electricity used to charge them — and while UK renewable energy generation has improved, it’s not yet 100% clean.
One of the most environmentally friendly decisions we can make is to keep our vehicles for longer. As a nation, we’ve grown accustomed to changing cars every three to four years, often driven by finance packages. This increases the demand for manufacturing, which brings with it a substantial carbon impact.
Given how reliable modern cars have become, there’s no reason most of us couldn’t run the same car for 10 years or more. This alone would dramatically reduce the environmental footprint associated with new vehicle production, regardless of whether it’s an EV or ICE.
Neither is a perfect solution — and unless teleportation suddenly becomes reality, some degree of negative impact will remain.
Summary — Accepting What’s Coming
To summarise this series of blogs, Electric Vehicles are a complex topic that stir a range of opinions. There’s no simple solution. If we want to maintain our current lifestyles, or something close to it, there will inevitably be an environmental impact.
The UK government’s legislative direction is clear and, whether we like it or not, it’s happening. Embracing it positively makes more sense than resisting it. EVs can work for the vast majority of people if we’re willing to make small lifestyle adjustments.
For those who remain resistant, it’s worth hoping that battery and infrastructure technology advances quicker than the 2035 ban on new ICE sales arrives — because like it or not, change is coming.
Dave Bownes
Director,
Haynes Oliver Limited
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