The more widespread electric vehicles become, the more facts, observations, and myths about them appear. This article will list the main myths about electric vehicles, as well as the facts that refute them.
Electric cars are dangerous for people with a pacemaker
This myth remains relevant even though doctors refuted it back in 2017. In the United States, studies were conducted in which 34 people (men and women) took part. Their average age was 69 and all had a pacemaker. During the studies, participants were located both inside the electric vehicle and near it, and the most sensitive mode was turned on in pacemakers. However, none of the participants showed any deviations.
Electric vehicle magnetic fields harm health
This is also a fairly old statement that has been refuted by practical research. Thus, numerous studies have shown that the maximum magnetic field of an electric car barely reaches 20% of the maximum permissible indicator established by a special international commission.
Electric cars are silent, and therefore dangerous for blind people
This statement was made by the Berlin Society for the Blind and was actively disseminated in many print media. It got to the point that there were proposals to install special noise generators on electric vehicles. However, modern technologies, which are stuffed with electric cars, independently analyze the situation on the road, helping the driver to avoid collisions with both stationary obstacles and moving ones (other cars, pedestrians). Moreover, more and more often we hear about the next successful tests of unmanned vehicles.
Electric vehicles - slow transport
Perhaps this myth appeared and is actively supported by those people who have never ridden on electric traction. Unlike an internal combustion engine, the electric motor immediately gives 100% of the torque when accelerating. This means that any electric car will accelerate faster than a gasoline-equivalent. For example, Tesla Model S reaches the 100 km / h mark within 2.5 seconds after the start. Sports cars aside, how many gasoline models can show similar numbers?
You won't go far with an electric car
Indeed, the first electric motors had an extremely low power reserve, so they were used in conjunction with internal combustion engines (hybrid cars). However, already now the range on one charge is 150-200 km. is common for an electric car. Some models can travel up to 400 km. without recharging. So an electric car will be enough for normal daily trips. Moreover, technologies aimed at increasing the range of electric cars are constantly evolving: new batteries, energy-efficient tires, etc.
Note! If you need to make a long trip in an electric vehicle, it is worth planning the places to recharge in advance. You can always familiarize yourself with the map of charging stations in Ukraine here.
Electric cars are dangerous
Of course, they are dangerous! But much less than cars with internal combustion engines. Back in 2011, the first mass-produced electric cars received the highest safety rating when simulating various collisions. An electric car, like any modern car, is equipped with airbags and seat belts, anti-lock braking systems, etc. And also electric cars have cameras and sensors that independently analyze the situation and warn the driver about possible danger.
Important! The battery of the electric car is located at the bottom of the car, under the seats. This arrangement provides a lower center of gravity and, as a result, better stability and handling. And the absence of a fuel tank excludes any possibility of ignition of the car.
The electric car is a luxury, not a means of transportation
Indeed, today the production of electric cars is still more expensive than the production of a car with an internal combustion engine. Therefore, they are more expensive. However, in many countries, the purchase of cars with an electric motor is subsidized by the state.
Note! Conditions for importing an electric vehicle to Ukraine. VAT rate = 0. Customs duty = 0. Excise rate - 1 euro per 1 kWh of capacity.
The cost of operating an electric vehicle is the same as that of a car with an internal combustion engine
The maintenance of an electric vehicle costs less than a car with an internal combustion engine. An electric car essentially consists of a transmission, a battery, and an electric motor. The simplicity of design - ease of maintenance. The service interval is 20-30 thousand km. And the TO itself is just an oil change in the gearbox, and, if necessary, a cabin filter. The wear of the electric motor is much less than the wear of the internal combustion engine.
Additional Information! More information about the features of using an electric car can be found in our blog: electric car or gas car, does an electric car need oil, features of servicing electric cars, and other articles.
Electric cars are characterized by a low degree of reliability
As indicated in the paragraph above, an electric car is much simpler, and, therefore, more reliable than a car with an internal combustion engine. Fewer parts mean less risk of failure.
Difficulty finding charging
Once upon a time, it was so. However, the situation has now changed a lot. In Kyiv alone, the number of electric filling stations already exceeds 550, and in general, in Ukraine, their number already exceeds 3000. Fast charging stations began to appear more and more often. Although there are not so many of them - 10-15% of the total - it is also a matter of time.
Additional Information! You don't have to look for a charging station if you have your own. A large range of charging stations (made in Ukraine, Finland) for both home and commercial use is presented in the online store.
Long charging time
Indeed, to fill a full tank, it is enough to spend about 5 minutes, while it takes about 8 hours to fully charge the battery of an electric car. However, to travel 80-100 km, it is enough to charge the battery for half an hour. Nowadays, fast-charging stations are becoming more common, which allows you to charge the battery by 80% in just 30-40 minutes. Also, the electric vehicle can be charged at night.
Electric vehicle batteries light up
Indeed, there are known cases of electric vehicles catching fire due to battery damage or short circuit. As for the battery, special software has been developed to exclude such cases, and the battery compartment is reinforced with titanium and aluminum plates. In the future, when solid-state batteries come into widespread use, the risks of fire will be eliminated. If we talk about the risks of short circuits, then cars with internal combustion engines are equally subject to the risk of fire due to short circuits.
Important! Speaking of a fire, the risks of a car explosion should be assessed, and in electric vehicles, this risk is zero, unlike cars with internal combustion engines.
Electric cars harm the environment
Of course, electric cars cannot be called completely harmless. But if we talk about carbon dioxide emissions, then in electric vehicles their level is 40% lower than in cars with internal combustion engines. Yes, the spread of electric cars requires an increase in electricity production. As a result, the emissions of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which is formed when burning coal, have increased. However, now many countries are increasingly switching to alternative energy sources, so this impact is constantly decreasing.
Additional Information! According to research, by 2040, a decrease in harmful emissions from internal combustion engines is expected by about 1.9% per year, while a decrease in pollution from electric cars is expected at the level of 3-10% per year.
Electric vehicles drive up electricity consumption
A simple example. The Norwegian authorities plan to completely ban the sale of cars with internal combustion engines in 2025, but only by 2040, they predict an increase in electricity consumption by 14%. Not that much, is it? Especially taking into account the fact that alternative energy sources are becoming more widespread, which, among other things, can be used to generate electricity.
Within the framework of this myth, it is worth considering another one - an increase in the number of electric cars will lead to loads on the power grid and numerous accidents. However, the vast majority of EV owners charge their cars at night - from household outlets or home stations. At this time, the peak in electricity consumption passes, and therefore there are no overload risks.
Rapid battery wear
Numerous studies show that electric vehicle batteries can be fully used after 5-8 years of operation. The battery of the most popular electric car model at the moment, Nissan Leaf, retains about 75% of its capacity even after driving about 200 thousand km. According to Tesla, the recognized leader among electric vehicles, their batteries are after 300 thousand km. the run will lose only 10% of the capacity.
The problem of disposal of used batteries
Until recently, this was not a myth, but a reality. But just recently, the German company Duesenfeld announced that it had developed a way to safely dispose of lithium-ion batteries. And in Finland, there is a technology that allows you to recover spent batteries up to 80% of their original capacity.