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Welcome back to "EV Myths: Charging Up the Truth," our ongoing series dedicated to dispelling prevalent misconceptions about electric vehicles with cold, hard facts and data. With over a decade of EV presence on our roads and billions of battery-powered miles logged, we're harnessing real-world experiences to set the record straight.
In this sixth instalment, we're tackling three more common myths that often surface in discussions about electric cars.
EV MYTH #16: There isn't enough choice in electric cars, and they're too expensive.
Five years ago, the UK market offered a limited selection of around 20 electric cars. Fast forward to today, and that number has significantly grown to close to 100. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) even estimates that by 2024, there could be up to 120 plug-in battery cars available in the UK.
While prices currently range from the accessible Citroen Ami at £7,995 to the premium Tesla Model X at £98,480, the good news is that the choice and cost of new mid-range models have significantly improved. For example, you can find the MG 4 at £26,995, the Jeep Avenger at £23,600, and the Renault Zoe at £23,585 (for cash purchases).
Experts anticipate that new EV prices will continue to fall as battery raw material costs decrease, car makers offer more discounts in a competitive global market, and the increasing presence of Chinese automakers puts pressure on European EV list prices. Furthermore, the upcoming ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle) mandate will compel car manufacturers to sell more EVs, and Chinese companies are already establishing robust dealer and parts networks in preparation for new EV imports into the UK.
The Truth: Choice in the EV market is rapidly improving, and prices are expected to become more competitive in the coming years due to falling battery costs, increased manufacturer discounts, and growing competition.
EV MYTH #17: Electric vehicles wear out tyres faster than petrol or diesel cars.
It's a fact that all vehicle tyres wear down, releasing nanoparticles of rubber into the atmosphere and rubber particulates onto road surfaces. The common question, however, is whether EVs are more prone to accelerated tyre wear due to their increased battery weight.
In 2021, a report commissioned by the RAC and conducted by Dr. Euan McTurk concluded that tyre wear is determined more by driving style than vehicle weight. This report also found that fleets observed their EVs wore tyres down at a "broadly similar rate to ICE cars" (Internal Combustion Engine).
Anecdotal evidence from EV owners and high-mileage EV taxi firms further supports this, reporting normal rates of tyre wear compared to combustion cars. As one LinkedIn post humorously pointed out, "As someone working in a part of the tyre industry, I can only say that we are waiting to see the massive demand growth this drastic tyre wear will presumably generate…." The CEO of the Prohire Group in the UK simply stated: "The tyre wear is the same as the equivalent diesel".
While scientific research is certainly needed to definitively establish the impact of EV tyre particulate pollution, it's worth noting for context that a Range Rover, a popular combustion engine SUV, weighs 2.7 tonnes, and concerns about its tyre pollution are rarely raised.
The Truth: Current data and anecdotal evidence suggest that EV tyre wear is primarily influenced by driving style, not simply vehicle weight, and is broadly comparable to that of equivalent petrol or diesel cars.
EV MYTH #18: The electricity grid cannot cope with a widespread shift to EVs.
Concerns about the UK's electricity grid handling a massive influx of EVs are understandable. In a 2022 report, the IPCC stated that "Decarbonising the transport sector will require significant growth in low-carbon electricity to power EVs".
However, National Grid ESO offers a more optimistic outlook, suggesting that EVs could actually "support the grid by storing excess generation from renewable sources and giving it back to the grid in times of high demand". They confidently state that the UK could "comfortably handle" even an overnight switch to EVs, attributing this to a significant fall of around 16% in electricity demand over the past two decades due to technological efficiencies. Furthermore, National Grid estimates that if the UK switched to EVs overnight, "demand would only increase by around 10%".
While the company does acknowledge that more work is needed with distribution companies, the Government, OFGEM, and other stakeholders to ensure that "the wires, the connections to charge points" are in place, the overall picture is positive. The IPCC has also reported that widespread use of smart charging, where EVs are charged at night during low-demand cycles (as recommended by the government and fitted as standard to many EVs), could reduce the impact of peak electricity demand by as much as 60%.
It's also important to remember that the peak demand from 80% EV penetration is still an estimated 11 years away (or six years if a Labour government reverts to the 2030 target). This timeframe provides ample opportunity for National Grid, Distribution Network Operators, OFGEM, and the Government to build and improve the necessary electricity infrastructure.
The Truth: The UK's electricity grid is better prepared for EV adoption than many believe, with potential for EVs to support grid stability. With smart charging and ongoing infrastructure development, the grid is expected to comfortably manage increased demand from electric vehicles.
NEXT WEEK…
Join us for the next part of our series, where we'll tackle three more prevalent EV myths:
Stay tuned for more myth-busting from Renault Retail Group!