Electric Vehicles (EVs) have been gaining popularity as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional gas-guzzlers. However, a cloud of myths continues to shroud the EV landscape which can often deter potential EV adopters. This World EV Day, we shed light on the truth behind these myths with the help of three Co Wheels car club members who share their valuable experiences and insights with electric vehicles.

Myth 1: EVs are expensive to run.

The myth that electric vehicles (EVs) are expensive to run is based on outdated assumptions about their initial purchase price and charging costs. In reality, EVs often have lower long-term operational costs.

Ray Cooke, an avid EV enthusiast, has installed a home charger connected to solar panels to effectively recharge his EV, a Kia Niro. He says, “The key issues for many seem to revolve around running costs, and in our experience, this has been a huge win due to our solar charging system.”

Herbert Eppel, a Co Wheels member who campaigns for the provision of all UK’s energy requirements from renewables by 2050, echoes Ray's sentiment, "So far we have been able to charge the car (Polestar) almost exclusively from our roof-mounted PV system, and this plan has worked out very well so far.” He wisely points out, however, that this can be restricted by the weather, especially during winter.

This emphasis on solar charging highlights the potential cost savings associated with EVs. Charging from home-generated electricity significantly reduces reliance on costly public charging stations. Furthermore, EVs require less maintenance in comparison to fossil fuel cars, and the UK government also offers incentives such as grants, zero road tax, and exemptions from congestion charges in some areas.

Myth 2: EVs don't have the necessary range for long distances.

Many sceptics worry about the range of EVs, especially for long trips. Joshua's experience counters this myth: "I needed the car to cover around 150 miles and had some range anxiety initially, but the MG 5 I booked from Co Wheels car club was fully charged and had 230 miles of range, which was perfect."

Joshua's positive experience with the MG 5 showcases that modern EVs come equipped with substantial ranges, making them practical for extended journeys. He continues, "Once I was on the open road, I was amazed at how fast and efficient the MG 5 was despite it being a large car. It had plenty of space, the seats were really comfortable and it had all the features you could want in a car."

This debunks the myth that EVs are impractical for long-distance travel. With advancements in battery technology, EVs can compete with their fossil fuel counterparts in terms of range and performance, given that the trip is planned well.

Myth 3: There is a lack of sufficient charging infrastructure to support EVs.

It is a fact that the EV landscape is still in its developing stages, but the common perception that there isn’t enough charging infrastructure to support a switch to EVs is not entirely true.

While describing one of his EV trips, Joshua states, "I found plenty of charging points on the route, whether it be in local villages or tourist car parks." The misconception that there is insufficient charging infrastructure to support EVs often disregards the expanding network of charging stations. Ray correctly points out, "The charging network is still somewhat immature, but more charge points appear every week - a bit of journey planning is needed currently, but not for much longer."

Herbert shares his journey, "Our first long-distance outing was a trip to Aberdeenshire. We decided to break the journey for more charging stops than necessary, to gain some experience with public charging stations. All in all, we ended up stopping five times during the 530-mile journey.” He continues, “Apart from a couple of minor hiccups at some of the 10 or so public charging stations we have used to date, nothing has actually gone wrong.” Herbert's experience highlights that while long-distance travel with an EV may require more frequent stops, it's not a prohibitive factor.

While there are some challenges with the current charging infrastructure, the EV landscape is rapidly improving, and most challenges can be mitigated by simply planning your trip before beginning your journey.

We recommend using apps such as Zap-Map, PlugShare, and ChargePoint to locate charging stations. On the other hand, navigation apps designed for EVs, such as A Better Route Planner (ABRP) or Waze, help plot the most efficient route with charging stops in mind. Proper planning can make EVs a practical choice for most journeys, and as the EV market continues to grow, charging technology and availability will only get better, making these concerns less relevant.

These shared experiences from Co Wheels car club members dispel common myths surrounding EVs. They emphasise the cost-efficiency of home charging, the increasing range of EVs, and the evolving charging infrastructure. As EV technology continues to advance, these misconceptions will likely become a thing of the past, paving the way for a greener and more sustainable future on our roads.