Common EV myths busted

Thinking about making the switch to an electric vehicle (EV)? Many of the most common worries are out of date. The average EV can now travel around 220 miles on a charge,¹ and batteries come with an 8-year or 100,000-mile warranty.² Charging at home is usually cheaper per mile than petrol or diesel,³ and there are over 120,000 public chargers across the UK.⁴ In this guide, we’ll bust 10 common myths, so you have all the facts before you switch. 

What’s in the guide?

• Myth 1: EVs don’t have enough range for everyday driving

• Myth 2: You need a driveway and a home charger to own an EV

• Myth 3: Charging always takes too long

• Myth 4: Public charging is always difficult to find or use

• Myth 5: Charging an EV is always more expensive than petrol or diesel

• Myth 6: EV batteries fail after only a few years and cost a fortune to replace

• Myth 7: EVs are no better for the environment than petrol cars

• Myth 8: EVs don’t work properly in cold or wet weather

• Myth 9: Living with an EV is too complicated, you need technical knowledge

• Myth 10: The electricity grid can’t support more EVs

Myth 1: EVs don’t have enough range for everyday driving

The short answer

There’s plenty of battery power for most trips. The average car journey in England is under 10 miles,⁵ and most modern EVs have a range of 220 miles on a full charge.¹ 

Plus, some newer models even travel up to 500 miles on a single charge.⁶ 

The reassuring reality 

For everyday driving, commuting, and running errands, many drivers won’t need to charge every day. Range is only really something to think about:

• On long journeys. If you regularly drive hundreds of miles for work, charging requires a bit more planning. But ultra-fast chargers on motorways will fill up your battery in as little as 10 to 30 minutes. 

• In cold weather. Battery range does drop by around 10% to 20% on cold days,⁷ and chilly batteries can take a little longer to top up. But simple habits can maximise your battery’s power. These include heating the car while it's still plugged in, plugging in straight after a drive while your battery is already warm for faster charging, and switching to "eco mode" while driving to use less power.⁸

Myth 2: You need a driveway and a home charger to own an EV

The short answer

While charging at home is usually the cheapest and most convenient way to plug in, some drivers only use public chargers. Plus, around a third of public chargers are on residential streets.⁴

The reassuring reality 

Even if you don’t have a driveway, you still have plenty of options. If you can park on the street outside your home, you might be able to run a charging cable across the pavement.⁹ If you live in Scotland, there’s a cross-pavement charging grant available.¹⁰ You’ll often find chargers in lampposts and car parks, and fast chargers are now common at supermarkets, gyms and shopping centres. Some employers have staff chargers, often available for free or at a discounted rate.

For longer journeys, motorway service stations and main routes have rapid and ultra-rapid hubs. OVO’s Charge Anywhere can direct you to the nearest available charger.

Myth 3: Charging always takes too long

The short answer

Charging an EV isn’t like standing by a petrol or diesel pump – you charge while your car is already parked. Plus, ultra-fast charging hubs can top up your battery in as little as 10 minutes.

The reassuring reality 

EV charging habits are different. Instead of waiting until your tank is empty and stopping to refuel, you usually charge when your car is already parked. On longer journeys, you can plan your charging around the breaks you'd take anyway, like grabbing something to eat. That way, you're rarely going out of your way to charge.

You can find out more about different charging speeds and battery care in our guide.

Myth 4: Public charging is always difficult to find or use

The short answer 

With up-to-date chargepoint locations, live availability, and contactless payments, public charging is now easier than ever. 

The reassuring reality

Public charging has come a long way since the network began in the 2010s. Today, the number of chargers is growing quickly, and millions of pounds are being invested in rural areas, too.

• 120,000+ chargers. There are now over 120,000 public charging spots across the UK, with new chargers continuing to be added.⁴

• It’s simpler to find chargers. Apps like OVO’s Charge Anywhere and sat-navs now show real-time charger availability, speed, and pricing, so you can skip broken or unavailable spots.

• Easier payments. You can pay for your charging directly through the Charge Anywhere app.

• Powering up is also simpler. You can plug the cable into your car’s socket and get on with something else while your car is charging.

Myth 5: Charging an EV is always more expensive than petrol or diesel

The short answer

Charging an EV is nearly always cheaper than filling up a petrol or diesel car, although prices can vary depending on where you charge.¹¹

The reassuring reality 

Charging at home with an EV tariff or tariff add-on is usually cheaper per mile than petrol and diesel.³ That’s because EV tariffs and tariff add-ons unlock even better rates than what you pay to power your home.

With public charging, the cost per mile normally matches the speed you charge. Slow and fast chargers (3kW-49kW) in residential car parks, shopping centres, supermarkets, and gyms tend to be a little cheaper per mile. While rapid and ultra-rapid charging hubs (50kW-150+kW) on busy roads and motorways can cost a similar amount or more.¹²

Myth 6: EV batteries fail after only a few years and cost a fortune to replace

The short answer

In the UK, manufacturers are legally required to give EV batteries an 8-year or 100,000-mile warranty.¹³ That gives you far more protection than standard petrol or diesel car warranties, which usually wrap up after just 3 years.¹⁴

The reassuring reality

Fears about failing batteries have long concerned the electric car market – especially for second-hand buyers. But the data shows that drivers have less to worry about than they might think.

• Free battery replacement. If the battery capacity falls below 70% for cars or 65% for vans during the 8 years or 100,000 miles, the manufacturer has to replace it free of charge as part of the warranty.¹³

• Slow rate of decline. Most EV batteries last 15 to 20 years. Home or slow chargers can help to maintain battery health.¹⁵

• Extending battery life. To help keep your battery tip-top, only use rapid chargers when you need to, don’t fully charge the battery, and don’t let it get too low on charge either.¹⁶

Myth 7: EVs are no better for the environment than petrol cars

The short answer

Over their lifetimes, EVs typically produce lower greenhouse gas emissions, compared to petrol equivalents.¹⁷

The reassuring reality 

It’s true that manufacturing an EV battery creates higher emissions than building a regular petrol engine. But the environmental benefits over the car’s lifespan quickly make up for it.¹⁷

• Zero exhaust emissions. EVs don’t release any CO2 while driving. With domestic transport accounting for 30% of UK greenhouse gas emissions,¹⁸ switching to an EV can also improve air quality, particularly in urban areas.

• Offset in just 1 to 2 years. With zero exhaust emissions and a greener UK grid, an EV can offset its manufacturing emissions within 1 to 2 years.¹⁹

Myth 8: EVs don’t work properly in cold or wet weather

The short answer

Electric vehicles run safely, smoothly, and reliably in wet and freezing weather.

The reassuring reality 

EV engineering makes cold and wet weather driving surprisingly easy. Electric vehicles actually handle winter conditions well thanks to instant, smooth power control on wet or icy roads. Always maintain proper tyre pressure or even consider buying winter tyres.²⁰ 

Myth 9: Living with an EV is too complicated, you need technical knowledge

The short answer 

Driving an EV is actually simpler than driving a traditional car.

The reassuring reality 

You don’t need any technical knowledge to drive an EV. The main difference is getting to grips with how and where you plug in. Once you've got the hang of that, it’s easier to drive than a traditional car. 

• Simpler mechanics. No clutch, no manual gears, no oil checks, and fewer moving parts to maintain and service.

• Drive at the push of a button. You simply press start, select “Drive”, and go.

• Smoother driving. Power arrives as soon as you touch the accelerator. It’s one quiet, continuous push that makes stop-start city driving effortless. 

• Power up at home. If you have your own dedicated driveway, you can conveniently charge outside your front door.

Myth 10: The electricity grid can’t support more EVs

The short answer 

The National Grid has confirmed it can comfortably handle the UK’s transition to electric vehicles – even if we all switched to EVs overnight.

The reassuring reality

Preparations to make sure the grid is ready for the shift to electric cars have been underway for a while. 

• Electricity demand has dropped. Total power demand in the UK has actually gone down by around 16% since its most recent peak in 2002, thanks to energy-efficient homes and appliances.²¹

• Enough power for everyone. Even if we all switched to EVs overnight, national power demand would only increase by about 10%. That means we would still be using less electricity than we did over 20 years ago – well within the range the grid is capable of handling.²²

Want to know more about EVs?

Like the idea of getting an EV but need more info? Read our Thinking about getting an EV guide.

Got or getting an EV but need practical support? Read our Switching to an EV guide.

Visit our EV Hub.