Trust me, I am a petrol head through and through. My dream garage would house classics like a Mustang Mach 1, a Triumph GT6, a V8 Vantage and maybe a wee Hillman Imp. I also religiously follow motorsports, from F1 to BTCC and endurance racing. Yet, here I am, writing about electric vehicles (EVs). Why? Because after four years of EV ownership I'm a huge advocate for electric vehciles and I'm fed up of hearing the bad takes and terrible opinions.
In fact since March this year, our household has gone fully electric with a Tesla Model 3 and an MG4 sitting on the drive. Let's tackle some of the most common misconceptions about EVs that I've encountered (repeatedly).
Myth 1: The range isn't enough
This is perhaps the most persistent myth, and it couldn't be further from the truth. My four-year-old Tesla Model 3 Long range comfortably manages over 300 miles on a single charge - the newer models are even more efficient.
In the four years I've owned it, I've regularly made trips from Glasgow to Oban or Dundee and back without even thinking about charging. I can cruise at 70 mph for four hours straight. To be honest, my bladder usually gives out before my battery does!
Then if I do need to charge that takes ages right?
Myth 2: It takes too long to charge
In four years of EV ownership, I've only had wait to wait twice. Once, was waiting for a free chargepoint and there was a two-minute queue at a service station for a spot to free up before I could plug in and nip to the services for a pee. And the other time was I sat in my car watching Netflix for 10 minutes.
The reality is I previously wasted more time going back and forth to petrol station than I do now with an EV.
Yeah I'm lucky, I have off street parking and can easily charge my car at home so I would say about 98% of my charging happens overnight on a 7kWh charger (and at a mere 7p/kWh, I might add). If I'm not charging at home I typically then charge where I park. What I mean by this is that away from the house most of my charging is done at 'destination' charging ie at the accommodation I'm going to or near the event where the car is sitting stationary anyway.
Although I will concede I did have a terrible experience using the Vend Electric charging infrastructure at Center Parcs.
Myth 3: EVs Are Really Expensive
This is perhaps the most pervasive myth, and it's utter nonsense. Let's look at some comparisons:
| Category | Petrol Car | Electric Car | Petrol Car |
|---|---|---|---|
| Family Hatchback | VW Golf (£25,935) | MG4 (£26,995) | BMW 1 Series (£27,625) |
| Family Saloon | VW Passat (£37,415) | Tesla Model 3 (£39,990) | BMW 3 Series (£39,045) |
Are EVs really that expensive? When you factor in the features that come standard on many EVs (like the Tesla Model 3's autopilot, connectivity, and heated seats that aren't a subscription), the price difference narrows even further. Add in the cheaper servicing and running costs, and EVs start to look like a bargain.
The table above I've tried to be fair, VW literally stands for People's Car. While its not a budget brand its hardly a Rolls Royce.
Myth 4: EVs Can't Handle Long Journeys
I think we should first establish how long is 'long'? I have two young kids so for me even 2 hours non-stop is hard to achieve without a toilet break or stopping for juice or snack. In my scenario assuming 70mph we're talking ~140 miles at best. Many EVs now have ranges exceeding 300 miles, including the two on my drive. Range is never an issue for us.
Let's take 300 miles as a basis and remove kids from the scenario. Assuming you're traveling at 70 mph and with that 300 miles of range, that is going to be over 4 hours non-stop, twice what I'm realistically hoping for when my family are in the car.
But say you do need to stop well with the growing network of rapid chargers and impressive charge rates of modern EVs long journeys in EVs are becoming increasingly practical.
Myth 5: EVs Are Boring to Drive
This couldn't be further from the truth. Get in a Tesla Model 3 Long Range (not even the Performance model) and mash the 'loud' pedal (need to come up with a better name for it) and you won't be saying its boring going 0-60 in around 4 seconds.
The instant torque of electric motors provides exhilarating acceleration. Many EVs are fun to drive, with responsive handling and a low centre of gravity due to their battery placement. The MG4 we recently bought is also rear wheel drive (the BMW 1 series isn't even rear wheel drive anymore) and have an excellent feel through the wheel and an insane turning circle.
Sure a lightweight Lotus will be more fun on a B road but for most of the driving, most people do, most of the time. EVs are just better.
Myth 6: EVs Are Unreliable
I disagree. I do think my Tesla Model 3 made in Fremont has poor build quality but it's not been unreliable. I had more niggles in my previous ICE cars built in Germany.
In general EVs actually have fewer moving parts than petrol/diesel cars, which can make them more reliable and cheaper to maintain in the long run. No oil changes, no timing belts, no spark plugs - the list of things you don't need to worry about is long.
And if you use regen you barely use the brakes too.
This isnt a car blog - why are you writing about EVs?
At Add Jam, we're not just EV enthusiasts - we're actively involved in the rolling out the adoption of EVs in the UK. We've worked on multiple successful EV projects, including:
- We worked on the tech stack for one of the leading domestic EV chargepoints in the UK
- We're developing the software for a public chargepoint operator that is UK wide
- We've worked with a startup creating an EV fleet management platform
- We created Chargepoint Sparky, a tool to help home owners find local EV chargepoint installers, with thousands of installers from across the UK listed
Our experience in the EV sector runs deep, and we're passionate about contributing to the growth and improvement of EV infrastructure.
As a lifelong petrol head, I never thought I'd be singing the praises of electric vehicles. But after four years of EV ownership, I can confidently say that many of the common myths about EVs are just that - myths. EVs are practical, affordable, and honestly, a joy to drive.
If you're considering making the switch to an EV, or if you're working on EV-related projects and need some expert guidance, don't hesitate to get in touch with us at Add Jam. We're always excited to discuss the future of transportation and how we can contribute to making it cleaner, more efficient, and more enjoyable for everyone.
