5 EV myths that I believe ought to die earlier than later

It ought to come as no shock that EV gross sales have risen over 10% each year since 2014, and though they may not attain that quantity in 2026 because of tax credits ending in September, there are nonetheless some on the market which are uncertain concerning the validity of the platform.

I’ve my very own opinions about how these firms are working, however there is not any denying that, as a day-to-day car, EV vehicles are a accountable buy. Nevertheless, there are some on the market who nonetheless consider some issues that weren’t even true again when EVs first hit the market effectively over a decade in the past now. A fable is outlined as a “extensively held however false perception or concept.” If we wish to have dialogue round EVs, these 5 myths must die a fast loss of life earlier than later.

1

“EVs cannot drive within the rain”

Who would make a automotive that could not?

This primary one stems from a fairly fundamental worry greater than the rest — the worry of electrical energy and water in the identical area. I will grant that that is warranted. In spite of everything, no one desires to go swimming throughout a lightning storm for an excellent cause, however in that very same vein, what producer would make a automotive that you just could not drive within the rain? That is not sensible to me. Certain, I’ve welded a number of rear differentials in my time, and people had been sketchy within the rain at finest, however most EVs are on all-wheel-drive platforms, anyway. There’s fairly actually no actual distinction between utilizing a drill within the rain and what an EV does with its motors.

This worry is extra rampant than you would possibly assume, although. In a really stunning research, nearly 20 percent of drivers thought that they could not take an EV by way of a automotive wash. Come on, folks — we have to be higher than that. No automotive firm would produce one thing that may’t be used within the rain, full cease.

2

“You will be stranded with no charger”

They’re extra out there than you would possibly assume

When EVs first hit the market, I will relent that the infrastructure merely wasn’t the place it wanted to be for the overwhelming majority of individuals. Nevertheless, that is 2025, and though some prefer to assume it hasn’t, time all the time marches on. Now, there are nearly 200,000 public charging stations within the US alone, and practically each main metropolitan space has a plethora of stations the place EV house owners can cost up in a rush. Moreover, most fuel stations constructed to assist interstate journey have carried out them alongside most main highways, making road tripping in an SUV extra doable than ever earlier than.

Arguably the most effective factor about proudly owning an EV, although, is you could merely decide to cost it your self at house. Some firms provide free home charger installation with the acquisition of an EV, however even in the event you do must pay for one out-of-pocket, it certain beats the long-term cash you will spend on conventional gasoline going from place to put.

3

“EVs are slower than fuel vehicles”

This was by no means true, and the mathematics backs it up

As somebody who grew up going to the racetrack, and nonetheless spends various time there, I so need this to be true. Nevertheless, actuality has different concepts, as EVs are far and away extra spectacular than their inside combustion counterparts at nearly each flip. The actual efficiency magnificence comes when molding the 2 collectively, comparable to what’s being done right now in Formula One, however when it is a straight-up head-to-head contest between electrical and fuel energy, there actually is not any competitors.

Electrical energy wins that match-up extra instances than not. It takes critical firepower to stack as much as even fundamental ranges of EV acceleration, and that is earlier than moving into the high-performance fashions just like the Tesla Model S, Lucid Air or the Rimac line. For example, Carwow posted a video just lately of a Kia EV6 GT, which is under no circumstances a chart-topper when it comes to efficiency, beating a brand new Lamborghini in a standing 1/4 mile drag race. Do not consider me? Then it is a good factor I’ve acquired proof.

4

“Chilly climate kills your vary”

These aren’t AAA batteries we’re speaking about

This one is additional down the checklist as a result of, admittedly, freezing temperatures do hamper the EV vary, however not practically as a lot as some naysayers would have you ever assume. Very like the block heaters in pickup trucks, most EV firms now launch vehicles with warmth pump know-how to maximise vary beneath even essentially the most strenuously chilly circumstances. We have talked about this issue before, and there’s loads of room to work round.

In a Recurrent study, researchers discovered that on fashions with warmth pumps put in, the utmost vary dropped by round simply 10 p.c on a few of the hottest EV fashions available on the market, just like the Tesla Mannequin X and Mannequin S. Whereas some lower-tier vehicles just like the Volkswagen ID.4 did see a extra important drop-off, it wasn’t examined with a warmth pump. Merely put, in the event you reside in an space of the nation that repeatedly sees freezing temperatures within the winter months, purchase an EV with a warmth pump, and the issue will basically repair itself. When you have a house charger put in alongside it, you most likely would not even discover a distinction within the efficiency of your automotive, no matter temperature.

5

“You may’t tow with an EV”

One have a look at torque figures will inform a a lot totally different story

For some time, EVs had been restricted to the sedan and SUV area, which led some to consider that towing with an EV was a futile enterprise. Nevertheless, that might not be farther from the reality in 2025. In truth, there are actually manufacturers available on the market, like Rivian, that solely produce EV vehicles and SUVs designed to suit right into a extra rugged way of life than the standard EV purchaser lives. Main automotive manufacturers like Basic Motors and Ford additionally produce full-sized pickup vehicles in EV kind now with astounding torque figures.

This can be a fable that merely is not based in logic anymore.

I am undecided how far more proof we want that a few of these myths must go by the wayside. In 2025, it nonetheless looks like EVs are battling the identical issues that they did at their inception, regardless of making huge strides in the direction of being a extra consumer-friendly possibility off the lot. I am under no circumstances the largest proponent of EVs that there’s on the planet, but when we ever wish to have an actual, open dialogue about their validity, we have to get our information straight, and these 5 myths are stopping anybody from doing simply that.