Electric vehicles: debunking the myths

Fact: EVs emit zero emissions on the road, and the energy to power them is only getting greener.

Pure EVs run on electricity. This means that, unlike petrol and diesel cars, they emit zero tailpipe emissions.  

While it’s true that there are CO2 emissions associated with electricity generation, these emissions are still lower than those from a petrol or diesel vehicle.  

The amount of emissions also depends on how the electricity is generated. So EVs running on electricity from renewable sources will have even lower emissions.  

Still need convincing? In 2022, the UK saw a 6% increase in renewable electricity. We expect to see the amount of renewable-generated electricity increase in future, meaning electric vehicles will continue to become less carbon intensive. 

Fact: Pure electric vehicles have an average range of 197 miles, with many models able to go further on a single charge. 

Do you worry that an electric car will run out of battery before you reach your destination? Depending on the model of your EV, on average, you can expect to drive up to 197 miles (317 km) before you need to recharge. 

It’s also worth noting that 68% of journeys we make yearly are under five miles. But if you want to travel further – you can. 

Still concerned you’ll run out of battery? We have plenty of efficient driving tips to help you squeeze more miles out of a charge. 

• Anticipate the road ahead to ease off your brakes and make the most of regenerative braking, recharging your battery as you slow down. 
• Avoid unnecessary high speeds – take it steady and drive the speed limit. 
• Don’t weigh the car down – we’ve all been guilty of unnecessarily lugging items around in the boot. 

Fact: You can find 50,000 electric vehicle charging points across the UK. 

Charge points may be less noticeable than petrol stations, but the UK is now home to a well-connected public charge point network. 

There are over 50,000 electric vehicle charging points in the UK. According to Zapmap quarterly statistics, the number of ultra-rapid charge points in the UK has increased by 68% since September 2022. What’s more, Zapmap’s calculations show that the UK is likely to reach 100,000 charging devices as early as August 2025. 

Planning your journey and checking where your closest charge points are is a good idea if you’re going on a long drive. Use a charge point map like Zap-Map or Charge Place Scotland to check availability and avoid waiting times. 

Fact: You can save money in the long run by installing a home charge point.

It’s true that there are upfront costs to install a home charger (the average cost of installing electric car charger prices range from £1,000 – £1,200). However, you can expect to save money over time due to the lower cost of electricity compared to petrol or diesel.  

Recharging your EV at home will normally result in the greatest cost savings. 

You may be able to save more money by charging overnight with an off-peak overnight electricity tariff. Learn more about the different charging options for EVs. 

There’s also financial support available, which can help to keep the cost down. The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles’ EV chargepoint grant, offers renters or flat owners with off-street parking either £350 or 75% off the cost of installing a home charge point. 

Fact: Estimates show that if we all switched our petrol or diesel vehicles to electric overnight, we would experience only a 10% increase in demand, fitting comfortably within the grid’s capacity.

Can the energy grid support more charging? The answer is yes.  

You may be surprised, but the highest peak electricity demand in the UK is 16% less than 18 years ago, according to National Grid statistics. Our phones, computers, and washing machines have become increasingly energy efficient, reducing the grid’s demand. 

As the number of electric vehicles on the roads continues to grow, there will be an increasing demand for electricity consumption. Of course, making the shift overnight would be challenging. But the growth in EVs is happening gradually. This allows the National Grid to understand charging patterns and plan ahead. 

Fact: Developments in battery component extraction mean processing centres can extract 98% of battery materials for recycling or reuse.

You may have heard another EV myth that electric vehicle batteries either can’t be recycled or are challenging to recycle and ultimately end up in landfill. This simply isn’t true.  

Electric vehicle batteries can be recycled at processing centres. Some companies can even remove your electric vehicle battery and put it to use in your home or sell it on for commercial use. If you have solar panels, an electric vehicle battery can be repurposed to store the electricity they generate, helping keep your electricity costs down. Now, that’s what we call resourceful. 

Electric vehicle batteries that aren’t repurposed are now shipped to EU processing centres. This is a short-term solution as the UK Government is working with partners to set up a sustainable battery recycling chain in the UK. 

Are you curious to find out more about EV batteries and their lifecycle? Read our blog on electric vehicle batteries. 

 There are many misconceptions about EVs, but don’t believe all the myths you hear. EVs are here to stay. 

The UK Government will end the sale of new petrol, diesel and hybrid cars and vans from 2035. Take the time now to get ahead and go electric.