Written by Louis Sumner
As electric vehicles (EVs) become an increasingly familiar sight on UK roads, they’re taking up more and more of the automotive spotlight. And while it’s encouraging to see the benefits of going electric getting the attention they deserve, myths and misconceptions still circulate, leaving some drivers hesitant to make the switch.
At P+B, we’re passionate advocates for EVs, but we also recognise they won’t be the perfect fit for everyone. What matters most to us is that our clients have access to clear, accurate information that helps them make the right choice for their next car.
So, we’ve rounded up the most common misconceptions about EVs and separated fact from fiction.
Myth 1: Electric cars are more expensive to run than petrol or diesel cars
There are some cases in life where a lie holds some truth, but this isn’t even close. EVs have far fewer moving parts, which means lower servicing costs. Regenerative braking reduces brake wear, so some drivers go years without replacing brake pads. Additionally, Schemes such as the new EV Grant and EV Salary Sacrifice can cut your costs even further.
Another benefit is the ability to charge an EV from home through your own chargepoint. Think of it as having a petrol pump in your driveway. Charging at home can be up to 70% cheaper than fuelling an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicle, with some EV tariffs only costing 7p at kWh!
Myth 2: There aren’t enough charging stations
This is admittedly a subjective point, and would be dependent on where you live. In 2021, the UK had around 28,000 public chargers. Today, there are 82,000+, with 20,000 installed in 2024 alone; that’s roughly one every 30 minutes. The network is expanding faster than ever, with more high-speed chargers in service stations, supermarkets, and car parks across the country.
Myth 3: EV batteries don’t last
While it’s true that EV batteries do degrade, it’s pretty unfair to say they ‘don’t last’. Modern EV batteries often come with 8–10 year or 100,000-mile warranties. If capacity drops below 70% in that period, manufacturers will repair or replace the faulty cells (yes, just the affected cells, not the whole battery). Keeping your charge between 20–80% helps maximise lifespan, too.
Myth 4: EV batteries are more likely to catch fire
I’ve seen this one a lot, and it’s not true in the slightest. Statistically, EVs catch fire far less often than petrol or diesel cars.
While any vehicle can catch fire, EV batteries are sealed in steel cases, making them water- and impact-resistant. Studies show they have much lower fire rates per vehicle sold compared to ICE vehicles.
Myth 5: EVs break down more often
Put simply, fewer moving parts means fewer things to go wrong. With no engine, cam belts, or exhaust systems, EVs avoid many of the common breakdown causes of petrol and diesel cars. The most common EV “breakdowns” we see are flat tyres or running out of charge.
Myth 6: The National Grid can’t cope with more EVs
It can, and it will. National Grid predicts that if all UK cars went electric by 2050, electricity demand would rise by only 10–15%, spread over decades and offset by efficiency improvements elsewhere (like better home insulation and the phase-out of gas heating).
Add in smart charging, overnight charging habits, solar panels, and emerging tech like vehicle-to-grid (V2G) systems, and the grid is more than ready for the shift.
Myth 7: EVs don’t have enough range
This is undoubtedly the biggest blocker for people making the switch, and we’re not going to say that this opinion wouldn’t be justified in relation to older electric models. As someone who has supplied EVs for years now, I can safely say that range anxiety is quickly becoming a thing of the past. Average EV range has doubled in the past decade, from around 150 miles in 2015 to over 300 miles in 2025. Many models now comfortably cover a full week’s commuting on a single charge, and battery tech is still improving year-on-year. You can read more about how to tackle range anxiety here.
I may be a champion of EVs myself, but I understand that not everyone is ready to make that leap . Electric cars aren’t perfect, but many of the old objections simply don’t hold up in 2025. With costs falling, infrastructure booming, and technology accelerating, there’s never been a better time to make the switch.
