There are many commonly accepted myths surrounding EVs, and since we're involved in the gradual shift from internal combustion vehicles (ICE) to new energy vehicles, we aim to bust some of these myths. Here are some of the myths we hear most frequently from a local context. Are you looking to buy an electric car, but need to sell your old car first? AutoTrader can get you an Instant Offer!
Related: Are electric car batteries bad for the environment?
1. Electric cars are worse for the environment than ICE
While it is true that electric cars are not quite as clean as they were once believed to be, there is no doubt that in the medium-to-long term, EVs are better for the environment than ICE cars from an outright emissions perspective.
Related: Which electric car charges the quickest?
2. Load shedding means you cannot charge your EV
The most frequently raised concern among local consumers regarding EVs pertains to load shedding. While we understand that the supply of electricity within South Africa is inconsistent at best, the fact remains that if the correct charging practices surrounding EVs are adhered to, load shedding should not affect your vehicle, much as it doesn't affect your ability to charge your smartphone. The basic approach is to ensure that you plug your vehicle in as often as possible, and considering that your vehicle spends the majority of its time stationary while you work, keeping it charged should not be an issue.
Related: Is an electric vehicle worth the investment?
3. Electric vehicles do not have enough range
While we have personally experienced early EV models that do not have enough range for daily driving scenarios, the more modern products most certainly do. With the average South African commute spanning around 50km per day, even EVs with a smaller battery pack such as the Mini Cooper SE can cover a couple of days worth of commuting without the need for a charge.
4. The infrastructure is not there
It is impressive to consider that South Africa has among the most EV charging stations in relation to the total number of EVs within the local market anywhere in the world. Yes, this has something to do with the fact that the adoption rate has been low, however, the amount of investment that has gone into this technology locally means that even with an increased number of EVs, we will have enough charging infrastructure. AutoTrader CEO George Mienie has a handy EV charging site map on his website.
5. EVs are not safe
There has been a myth that has been perpetuated regarding the safety of EVs after videos emerged on social media where EVs that had caught alight after an accident had done the rounds. While these videos are concerning when we look at the computability of lithium-ion batteries, when Euro NCAP, which is considered among the best crash tests safety programmes on earth, tested a variety of EVs over the past two years, it found that some 38 of the 40 products tested were exceptionally safe, with the only two exceptions being the Dacia Spring and Renault Zoe.
