5 myths about electric vehicles

We address some common misconceptions around electric vehicles—perfect if you’re considering making the switch

Electric vehicles (EVs) have been gaining popularity in recent years – indeed, in the UK, there are now more than 680,000 battery-electric vehicles (as of end of January 2023), with more than 265,000 battery-electric vehicles registered in 2022. The UK government is encouraging adoption: new diesel and petrol cars will be phased out by 2030, and more than £1.8 billion has been invested in infrastructure and grants to increase access to zero-emission vehicles. Despite this, some misconceptions about EVs persist. Here, we address five common concerns.

1. The switch to EV is far off

The UK government’s commitment to phasing out diesel and petrol car production by 2030 is an indication that the switch to EV is fast-approaching. Numbers of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) has been steadily increasing in recent years: in 2022, a total of 267,203 battery electric vehicles were registered, up 40% in 2021. This number is expected to rise in 2023, with some estimates predicting 448,000 BEV registrations by the end of the year.

Those who have adopted EVs appear to be converted: according to a UK government survey, 79% of EV drivers reported using their EV as their main vehicle, while nine in 10 respondents reported driving their EV frequently (3+ times per week). And adoption isn’t unique to the UK, either: worldwide, there are over 10 million EVs on the roads.

2. ‘There aren’t enough charge points to meet demand.’

Have you got concerns about finding public EV charge points while you’re out on the roads? There’s no need to worry. The UK’s public charging infrastructure for EV drivers across the country is pretty healthy – and growing. At the end of July 2024, there were 66,779 electric vehicle charging points across the UK, across 34,570 charging locations. Of these, 12,474 were 50 kW and above. This represents a year-on-year increase of 46% in the number of public devices, with 21,042 installed since July 2023, according to ZapMap, which maps electric chargers across the UK.

And – further good news – within this infrastructure, we’re extremely invested in bringing you helpful charging, year by year. Such as investing £1 billion in electric vehicle charging in the UK over 10 years.

We’re pleased to say that around 75% of people in the UK live within a five-mile radius of a bp pulse rapid or ultrafast charger, and you can find all our EV chargers across the UK with our free app - in which you can search by availability, connector type and speed. And, because of government investment to date and of course our own into the public charging infrastructure it’s possible to charge your rented, owned, or leased EV without owning a charger at home.

3. ‘EVs are more expensive.’

Once you dig into the numbers around the cost of EV ownership, you could find there’s more flexibility – and room for costs to drop – than you originally expected. There are quite a few factors to consider here, so why not put the kettle on, then get comfortable?

EVs can cost more to buy outright – but typically have a lower running cost. According to a recent fact-checking article, it could cost you an average of £3,985 to run an electric car for five years, compared to £6,125 to run a petrol car over the same period.

And, while EVs might once have been more expensive than traditional vehicles, today, lower-priced models are making the switch to EV more accessible. With more manufacturers making electric vehicles, drivers have greater variety and price points to choose from. And as battery prices fall – and are forecasted to keep falling – we may expect EV prices to further fall to reflect this.

If you’re open to the possibility of buying a used EV, you can find some with prices at around £15,000 at time of writing for a used Peugeot e-208. If you’re open to second-hand EVs, you wouldn’t be the only one – sales of second-hand EVs went up by 90% in 2023 with nearly 120,000 changing hands in one year. You might be pleasantly surprised by the savings that you might make, and with our tips on finding the right one for you this could be a way of making EV ownership even more accessible for a wide range of budgets.

In addition, there are initiatives and incentives to make the switch to electric vehicles easier and less expensive – including road tax exemption, and favourable company car tax rates (until 2025).

In areas with low emission zones, EVs can be exempt from charges: in London zero emission vehicles that meet criteria are eligible for a 100% discount on Congestion Charge, until 25 December 2025, with some boroughs providing free or reduced-charge parking for EVs. Drivers may also be exempt from charges travelling through Clear Air Zones in Bath, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Greater Manchester, Portsmouth, Sheffield and Tyneside.

The government also offers grant schemes for EV charging infrastructure, which can help to alleviate costs. Individuals and businesses eligible for grants can receive funding towards the cost of installing electric vehicle chargers at properties across the UK. If you’re a non-commercial landlord, you can apply for up to 75% off the cost of installing a charging set up at home – up until March 2025.

4. ‘EVs have a limited battery range and are not practical for long trips.’

While range anxiety is a common concern, most EVs now cover between 100 and 300 miles when fully charged, depending on factors such as the vehicle make and model. With 99% of journeys car journeys in England under 100 miles, EVs are suitable for most daily commutes as well as longer journeys.

This database reveals 270 cars that fall within a range of 150 and 400 miles on a single charge - and, as 99% of car journeys in the UK are under 99 miles, it’s likely that, with the right make and model for your needs, range anxiety is not a worry you need to have.

5. ‘EVs are slow and lack power.’

Contemporary EVs can provide acceleration and top speeds to rival their diesel and petrol equivalents. For example, the Kia EV6 GT can go from zero to 60mph in 3.5 seconds, while the Tesla Model S Plaid can go from zero to 60mph in an impressive 2.1 seconds.[NS1] With many EVs offering ‘sports mode’ when you’re driving, meaning you can switch into a faster acceleration, and prioritise performance over battery efficiency – handy for short drives where you want a bit of oomph. Depending on the make and model you select, a switch to EV doesn’t have to mean a compromise on performance.

We hope this article’s dispelled some unhelpful or outdated myths around EVs and got you feeling more informed around your choices. While there’s no doubt that this is an emerging market and industry, things are looking good out there for the EV life.