Despite 10% of cars on the road being hybrid or electric, myths about their performance and practicality are commonplace.

It comes despite the looming demise of diesel and petrol, with a deadline of 2035, and some talk that this will revert to the previous deadline set by Boris Johnson.

The new Labour government’s manifesto includes a proposal to bring forward the ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles to 2030.

Running on empty

Brits appear to be getting ready for the transition to electric motoring.

Almost half of electric vehicles in the UK have been registered in the last two years alone.

However, despite this recent increase in EV adoption, many misconceptions about electric vehicles remain discouraging to motorists and keep them from making the switch.

Vertu Motors has shared and debunked five of the most common myths surrounding electric vehicles.

Myth 1: An EV can’t travel far enough

Thanks to improvements in battery technology, modern electric vehicles can now go between 100 and 300 miles on a full charge, with many high-end models able to travel even farther.

Since the average UK car journey is just 8.4 miles, most drivers will find that an EV easily meets their daily travel needs.

The EV range will inevitably increase on a single charge as technology improves.

For longer journeys, basic planning can ensure you stop and recharge both the driver and the car at appropriate intervals.

This is not only a significant road safety plan, reducing driver fatigue, but also an environmental-saving approach.

Myth 2: I don’t have a driveway, so can’t easily charge an EV

About 6.6 million UK households don’t have private or off-street parking, but that doesn’t mean they can’t own an EV or have easy access to charging points.

Last financial year, £37 million was made available through the Government’s On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS)[4].

If on-street charging isn’t available in your area yet, your local council is probably working on it.

There are also opportunities to install private pavement parking solutions.

Also, if you commute to an office, the Government Workplace Charging Scheme offers financial help to organisations for buying and installing charge points.

While individual employees might not control whether their business opts into this scheme, it is still worth discussing with your employer as it could provide you with more convenient charging options.

Myth 3: There aren’t enough public chargepoints available

Range anxiety is one of the main concerns for EV drivers, potentially putting off motorists looking to make the switch.

However, there are currently over 64,000 public charge point connectors across the UK – with this figure set to rise to 300,000 by 2030 – providing plenty of opportunity to recharge on the road.

Moreover, new electric vehicles feature navigation systems that can direct you to a suitable charge point, and many online resources, like electric car charging maps, can help you find charging stations.

Myth 4: An EV will take too long to charge

While many owners will leave their EV to charge overnight or when working during the day, slower charging speeds are not the only available option.

With the onset of rapid charging technology, you can often charge an EV battery from 10% to 80% in as little as 20-30 minutes, depending on the model.

On longer journeys, this also allows for a short break from driving, which offers a good opportunity to rest and keep energy levels up.

Myth 5: EV batteries don’t last long and will end up in landfill

Electric vehicles have a much lower impact on the environment when compared to petrol and diesel vehicles.

However, concerns have been raised about EV batteries’ short lifespan and disposal in landfills.

In fact, EV batteries last much longer than reported, with most manufacturers providing at least an 8-year or 100,000-mile warranty.

Moreover, once an EV battery reaches the end of its life, the batteries will be returned to the manufacturer for recycling, not to a landfill.

For more electric vehicle myths, or if you are looking to browse for an electric car, then visit the Vertu Motors website.