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Welcome back to the next instalment of our "EV Myths: Charging Up the Truth" series! Over the past few weeks, we've been tackling the persistent misconceptions surrounding electric vehicles (EVs) with a healthy dose of facts and real-world data.
In this part, we're addressing concerns about the future of petrol and diesel cars, the reliability of EVs and battery run-out, and finally, putting to bed the rumour about the Luton airport car park fire. Let's dive into the truths.
EV MYTH #13: The government is going to take away your petrol or diesel car.
This is a significant concern for many, but the reality is far less dramatic. Nobody has ever threatened to take away the right to drive a petrol or diesel car.
Combustion engine cars will remain on our roads for potentially the next 50 years or even longer. You will still be able to buy, sell, swap, trade, and drive used petrol and diesel cars for as long as there is fuel available to power them.
What will change is the sale of brand new petrol and diesel cars and vans after 2035 (or potentially 2030 if a Labour government reverses the current cut-off date). A surprising number of people have mistakenly believed that this end to new sales also applies to used vehicles and that they wouldn't be able to drive used combustion cars on public roads after 2030.
A 2023 survey by Auto Trader revealed that a staggering 7 out of 10 people thought the 2030 sales ban included used cars. This clearly indicates that the government's messaging around the 2030/2035 new sales cut-off has been poorly communicated, leading to widespread confusion and unfortunately, contributing to a "culture war" around EVs.
So, here's the definitive bottom line: don't worry. You can continue to drive your petrol or diesel car for as long as you wish. Nobody is going to take it away from you.
The Truth: The ban applies only to the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans after 2035 (or potentially 2030). The used car market for combustion engine vehicles will continue, and you can drive your existing petrol or diesel car for as long as you want.
EV MYTH #14: Electric cars frequently run out of battery and break down.
Range anxiety is a well-documented concern for potential EV owners, but the reality on the ground tells a different story.
In May 2023, the AA reported that the percentage of call-outs to EVs due to being 'out of charge' during the preceding year was a mere 2%, equating to a total of just 135 EVs.
Edmund King OBE, President of the AA, stated unequivocally that “our data on ‘out of charge’ clearly shows that charging anxiety doesn’t match the reality.” Furthermore, year-to-date in 2023, the AA responded to 39,109 EV breakdowns of all types, which represents only 2.86% of their entire breakdown call-outs – including petrol and diesel vehicles. Interestingly, the AA also reported that 45% of breakdown calls from EV owners were for punctures and 12v batteries, issues that are not unique to electric vehicles.
This data strongly suggests that electric cars experience significantly fewer roadside breakdowns than their combustion engine counterparts. It prompts a crucial question: despite being told that EVs break down often and run out of battery regularly, how many have you actually seen stranded on the roadside or hard shoulder? The anecdotal evidence often doesn't align with the reported myths.
The Truth: The data clearly shows that running out of charge is a relatively rare occurrence for EVs. Moreover, EVs appear to have a lower overall breakdown rate compared to petrol and diesel cars, with common issues like punctures and 12v battery failures accounting for a significant portion of EV call-outs.
EV MYTH #15: The car that started the Luton airport car park fire was an EV.
This myth gained significant traction following the devastating fire at Luton airport's car park. However, the facts are clear and have been publicly stated by the authorities.
Andrew Hopkinson, Chief Fire Officer at Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, explicitly confirmed in a public statement: “It was not an EV. This was a diesel-powered vehicle.”
Despite this clear and on-record statement, the myth persists, fuelled by misinformation on social media. There is even camera phone footage circulating online clearly showing a red 2014 Range Rover Sport engulfed in flames before the fire spread. The footage shows it abandoned and burning in a car park lane, surrounded by fire extinguishers, and not in a parking space.
Despite this overwhelming evidence, including the fire chief's direct confirmation, some social media users have continued to falsely claim that the Range Rover was a hybrid and that there is a widespread cover-up involving the fire service and even the government.
The Truth: The vehicle that initiated the Luton airport car park fire was definitively identified by the Chief Fire Officer as a diesel-powered Range Rover Sport. Claims that it was an EV or hybrid are demonstrably false and contradict the official findings and available evidence.
This concludes part five of the "EV Myths: Charging Up the Truth" series. We hope that by presenting clear facts and data, we've helped to dispel some of the common misconceptions surrounding electric vehicles and provided you with a more informed perspective on this rapidly evolving technology.
If you have any further questions about EVs or would like to explore the Renault electric vehicle range, please don't hesitate to visit your local Renault Retail Group. We're here to help you navigate the world of electric mobility with confidence.