Debunking common EV myths: separating fact from fiction

The original Nissan Leaf was the first mass-market all-electric vehicle to be sold, and came with a range of around 70-100 miles – far below what we can expect today.

Thankfully, battery technology has come a long way in the last decade, meaning official ranges of over 300 miles are not uncommon. Cars like the Polestar 2, Tesla Model 3 and Hyundai IONIQ 6 can all go more than 300 miles on a single charge.

This means that for the vast majority of motorists, driving an electric vehicle will offer more than enough range between charges. Research from the Department for Transport from 2022 showed that the average distance of a car trip in the UK was just 8.1 miles.

Infrastructure is also improving across the country. In January 2025, government data showed that there were over 73,000 publicly accessible EV chargers in the UK, representing an increase of 37% compared to the year before.

It’s true that full EVs can take a while to charge up if you’re using a standard three-pin plug socket. But if you’re investing in an EV, you’re likely to also be looking at a dedicated wall box charger.

Wall boxes will cost in the region of £1,000, so be sure to factor that in to your budgeting calculations for your new or used electric car.

A dedicated wall box will add around 10-30 miles of range per hour of charging, but this will depend on the type of car you have, as well as your electricity supplier.

If you live in a terraced home or flat without off-street parking, then you will have to rely on the public charging network to charge your car. Most public charging points are rated 7kW, the same as a standard wall box at home, which means you can add around 10-30 miles of range per hour.

Should you be lucky enough to live near a rapid charger, most commonly found at motorway service stations and some public car parks, these can range from 50kW to 150kW.

Plug into a 50kW charger and you’ll be able to top up from zero to 80% full in under an hour, and this can fall to less than 30 minutes for 150kW chargers, depending on the model of car you’re in. As you can see, that’s super quick charging.

If you own or plan to own a Tesla, you can also take advantage of the incredible Supercharger network. Tesla’s newest range of Superchargers can give you charging speeds up to 250kW, which can add about 150 miles of range in just 10 minutes.

Until recently, Superchargers were only open to Tesla vehicles. The brand has now started to open them up to other EVs, with a handful of sites available to all cars across the UK.

While it may be quicker to fill your ICE car up with petrol or diesel, the convenience of a home charger means no more trips to the petrol station.

One of the most persistent myths about electric vehicles is that they are too expensive and not worth the investment. While EVs often have a higher upfront cost compared to their petrol or diesel counterparts, a comprehensive analysis reveals that they can be more economical over time.

By examining the total cost of ownership, which includes factors such as fuel expenses, maintenance costs, and available government incentives, it becomes evident that EVs offer substantial financial benefits in the long run.

Breaking down the total cost of ownership

When looking at the cost-effectiveness of EVs versus traditional vehicles, it's essential to consider a number of factors:

Fuel savings:

• Electricity vs. petrol / diesel costs: charging an EV is generally more affordable than refuelling a petrol or diesel vehicle. The cost per mile for electricity is typically lower, but this is more when charging at home during off-peak hours.​Public charging costs are similar to that of petrol and diesel cars.
• Annual savings: EV owners can save hundreds of pounds annually on fuel costs. For instance, driving 10,000 miles might cost approximately £600 in electricity (at 24.68p / kWh), whereas the same distance could cost around £1,600 in petrol (at £1.39 / litre) for a comparable vehicle.

​Lower maintenance costs:

Simplified mechanics: EVs have fewer moving parts than internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. This simplicity translates to reduced wear and tear and fewer components that might require repair or replacement.​

• Routine maintenance: EVs don’t need oil changes, timing belt replacements, and other engine-related services common in ICE vehicles. Plus, regenerative braking in EVs reduce brake wear, lowering maintenance costs.​
• Cost reduction: studies indicate that EV maintenance costs can be 30-50% lower over the vehicle’s lifetime compared to ICE vehicles.

EV vs. petrol / diesel: cost comparison

To illustrate the financial benefits, let's compare best-selling EV models with some popular petrol or diesel equivalents:

Note: The above figures are approximate and subject to change based on individual driving habits, energy prices, and maintenance practices. * available government incentives as March 2025.

One of the most common complaints about EVs is that they aren’t as environmentally friendly as they seem. Detractors and critics often point to the emissions that are created during battery production and the electricity used to charge EVs. While these factors do have an impact, the overall lifetime emissions of an EV are significantly lower than those of a petrol or diesel car.

The truth about battery production

Yes, it’s true, producing EV batteries requires mining materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel, which has an environmental footprint. However, studies show that even when considering battery production, EVs still produce fewer emissions over their lifetime than petrol or diesel cars. Advances in battery technology and more sustainable mining practices are helping to reduce this impact further.

Lower lifetime emissions

Unlike petrol and diesel cars, which continuously burn fossil fuels and emit carbon dioxide throughout their lifespan, EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions.

Even when accounting for electricity generation, EVs typically emit fewer greenhouse gases than their fossil-fuel counterparts. As renewable energy sources like wind and solar power become more widespread across the UK, the carbon footprint of EV charging continues to shrink.

The future: battery recycling and renewable energy

Another major development improving EV sustainability is battery recycling. Companies are investing in closed-loop recycling systems that recover valuable materials from old batteries, reducing the need for new mining. Meanwhile, the global shift towards renewable energy means that more EVs are powered by cleaner electricity every year.

While no vehicle is entirely impact-free, EVs remain a significantly greener choice than traditional petrol and diesel cars.

One of the biggest concerns for potential electric vehicle buyers is battery longevity and replacement costs. However, modern EV batteries are designed to last much longer than a lot of people would think.

EV battery warranties provide long-term confidence

Most manufacturers offer extensive warranties on EV batteries, typically covering 8 years or 100,000+ miles. Some brands, like Tesla, Hyundai, and Nissan, even provide coverage beyond this, ensuring that battery performance remains strong for years.

These warranties usually guarantee that the battery will retain at least 70% of its original capacity within the warranty period.

Real-world EV battery performance

Data from high-mileage EVs suggests that battery degradation is minimal over time:

·      Research by Tesla in 2020 showed that Tesla Model S owners reported 90%+ battery capacity even after 150,000 miles.

·      Nissan Leaf models from over a decade ago are still running with functional batteries on the roads of the UK, proving their durability.

·      A London-based taxi fleet of Nissan Leafs showed only minor battery degradation despite intensive daily use on the streets of the capital.

These real-world cases highlight that EV batteries are built to last and continue to perform well beyond their warranty periods.

What happens to EV batteries after their first life?

Even when an EV battery reaches the end of its automotive life, it isn’t useless. Instead of being discarded, they are either:

·      Recycled:up to 95% of battery materials can be recovered and reused in new batteries. Companies like Tesla and Nissan have established recycling programs to maximise sustainability.

·      Repurposed for second-life applications:used EV batteries are often deployed in energy storage systems for homes and businesses. For example, Nissan repurposes old Leaf batteries for solar energy storage solutions, extending their usefulness for another decade or more.

Concerns about the UK energy grid's ability to handle mass adoption of electric cars are understandable but largely unfounded. Several tech advancements are in place to ensure the grid can meet increased demand:​

Smart charging and off-peak charging

Smart charging systems allow EVs, charging stations, and operators to communicate, optimising energy consumption by adjusting charging times and rates.

This helps flatten peak electricity usage by shifting EV charging to off-peak periods, thereby reducing strain on the grid. For instance, many electricity suppliers offer an EV charging tariff which rewards drivers with lower electricity prices should they charge at night and into the early morning.

Renewable energy

Integrating renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, into the grid enhances its capacity to support EV adoption sustainably. In the UK, companies like Gridserve are developing a network of electric forecourts powered entirely by renewable energy. These not only provide ultra-fast EV charging but also contribute to grid balancing services through on-site solar energy generation and battery storage systems. Neat, right?

Norway serves as a prime example of successful grid adaptation to high EV adoption. In 2024, research from Reuters found that nearly 89% of new cars sold in Norway were fully electric, yet the country's energy grid has managed this transition effectively. The UK is a long way from that 89% benchmark, but is steadily making progress towards it.

One of the most persistent concerns about electric cars is the availability of charging points. However, the reality is that charging infrastructure is expanding rapidly, making it easier than ever to own and run an EV.

The UK’s public charging network is growing at an impressive rate. According to Zapmap, the UK had over 73,000 public charging points across more than 32,000 locations as of early 2025, outpacing the number of petrol stations. The government is also investing heavily in EV infrastructure, with plans to install 300,000 public chargers by 2030, giving coverage even in rural areas.

While public charging is growing, most EV owners rarely rely on it for everyday driving. The vast majority of charging happens at home or work, where it’s often cheaper and more convenient.

For those on longer journeys, finding a charging station is straightforward thanks to lots of apps and online tools. Some that we think are the best include:

·      Zapmap: a UK-focused tool that shows real-time availability of chargers.

·      Google Maps: now includes live charging station data for major providers.

·      Tesla Supercharger & Destination Charging Maps: ideal for Tesla owners, but some sites are now open to other EVs.

The UK’s rapid-charging network is also expanding, with ultra-rapid chargers (150kW+) now available at motorway service stations, retail parks, and urban hubs, reducing charge times to just 15–30 minutes for many modern EVs.

EVs and the UK’s charging infrastructure have come a long way

As is the case with any new technology, there’s a period of adjustment as people get used to this new way of doing things – and EVs are no exception.

But as the figures show, this is a growing market, helped by an improvement in the infrastructure that the UK has to offer EV drivers.