There is no doubt that electric vehicles are gaining ground in the world market, although there is still a lot of incorrect information and myths about them, from their autonomy to their recharging problems, things that in many cases can already be debunked. in the current technical situation of this type of vehicles.
In Europe, electric vehicles are already taking relevant market positions thanks also to the boost that governments are giving them. In addition, we must add the million-dollar investments of the manufacturers and the determined support of sustainability advocates.
However, the transition to electricity is being much slower than expected in some countries such as Spain. Last year they reached 9.63% of the market (6% in the US), compared to 19.3% of the EU average or compared to Norway where 79% of cars sold are already fully electric.
This slow transition may have been affected by obstacles such as infrastructure or the price and cost of electric vehicles, in addition to other issues, but it is very likely that users will not access electric vehicles due to the widespread implementation of some myths that we will debunk. next.
Myth: All electric vehicles are very expensive
This is a general idea in the market since users are not familiar with this new propulsion technology and have this type of perception.
The truth is that the average price of electric vehicles is 27% higher than that of combustion vehicles, although this difference has been reducing in recent years and the forecast is that it could reach the same levels.
It is true that electric vehicles have not yet reached the expected price levels, mainly because their batteries are still very expensive, something that is beginning to improve with the arrival of new models and the push of brands of Chinese origin.
Car manufacturers are working very hard to reduce the cost of batteries, in a technological race unprecedented in the history of the sector.
An important fact is that, currently, the best-selling electric car in Spain is the MG4 (developed and produced in China), with a price below €20,000 with all the available aid.
Myth: Charging electric vehicles is slow
The time needed to recharge an electric vehicle is highly variable, which does not mean that the recharge has to be extraordinarily long, or that this factor is the trigger for access to electric vehicles.
In fact, there are several types of recharge:
- Level 1 charging: in a normal outlet, up to 2 days to charge an electric car from 0 to 80%.
- Level 2 charging: with recharge times from 0 to 80% between 4 and 10 hours.
- Level 3 charging: (DC fast charging): 20 minutes to one hour.
- Myth: Electric vehicles are very slow.
- Currently, with a wide range of electric vehicles on the market, all of them already with very advanced technology, the performance and agility of this type of vehicle is very high, even greater than that of their comparable combustion models, also providing continuous accelerations from the first moment that undoubtedly surpass the progressive accelerations of thermal engines.
Myth: Electric vehicles are struggling
This is undoubtedly a myth completely overcome today, since practically all brands already offer multiple electric and electrified models in their range, being able to access them in sales networks in the same way as current thermal vehicles or even .
Myth: A minimum of 650 km of autonomy is needed
There are many users who consider that they need 650 km of autonomy and are not willing to accept less than 500 km of total autonomy.
However, industry experts say that an average driver with normal commuting habits and who occasionally makes long trips would be enough with a battery with 500 km of autonomy, which is practically the average of the offering on the current market.
It is true that public charging still has a long way to go, although as things currently stand, residents of urban and suburban areas do not even need 600 km of autonomy.
Myth: There is not yet an electric vehicle on the market suitable for my needs.
In the current market, the range of models and variants is already very high and it will be difficult not to be able to find one that meets the needs of each user. There are luxury sedans, crossovers, SUVs, standard passenger cars and practically all market niches.
Myth: Electric cars pollute more than thermal cars
Many people assume that electric vehicles throughout their useful life from manufacturing to disuse produce more pollution than thermal vehicles.
In reality, many factors must be taken into account to be able to affirm this, from the extraction of the raw materials necessary for their batteries to their end and potential recycling, just as it must be considered that during their operation electric vehicles do not emit greenhouse gases. .
Although it is true that the manufacturing and production process of batteries can be somewhat worrying due to its carbon pollution, throughout the useful life of an electric vehicle its total emissions derived from its manufacturing, charging and driving are lower than the associated with current thermal vehicles, so electric vehicles have the potential to be much cleaner than the thermal vehicles they will replace.
Myth: Electric vehicle repairs and maintenance are more complex
There are differences and similarities between the maintenance of a combustion car and an electric one, since both require tires, wipers, windshield washer fluid, as well as suspension, bodywork and brake repairs from time to time,
However, traditional vehicles require regular maintenance such as oil changes, which electric vehicles do not need, just as electric vehicles have batteries and do not have an engine or spark plugs and in general have many fewer moving parts.
Statistics already show that electric car repairs are no more complex, longer or more expensive than those of internal combustion cars, and manufacturers are also making significant budgets for the repair training of their workshops on this new technology.