15th September 2023
Written by Mitchell LakinEVs: Truths and Myths
Electric vehicles have been on our roads for over a decade but, when compared to their petrol counterparts, they have barely left their infancy. Although the number of EV drivers are rapidly growing, with over 840,000 registered as of this year, misinformation around their components, features and effects is inevitable. This article looks into a number of recent examples and studies to divide the myths from the truths of EVs.
“EVs are More Likely to Catch Fire”
Ever since the advent of battery-fuelled vehicles, headlines have been rife with claims of dangers and vulnerability to fire. Due to the inherently flammable nature of lithium-ion batteries when not properly disposed, it should have come as no surprise that fears would spread if vehicles became powered by them. However, data from Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency proves not that they are just as safe as fossil fuel-powered vehicles but 20x less likely to result in fires. This result comes from the records that out of their fleet of 611,000 electric cars, 0.004% of these have had a fire incident. Whereas their 4.4 million petrol and diesel cars include 0.08% which underwent an incident.
On top of this, the risk of EV fires is constantly decreasing due to more resilient anti-fire functions in newer models. For example, AIS has developed a coating that insulates the key components of electric vehicles to provide protection, even in the event of an underbody fire. They are simultaneously working on fire resistance that prevents thermal runaway, the heat-increasing process that is often the main cause of vehicle fires.
“EVs Cost More to Maintain than their Counterparts”
Because EVs contain cutting edge technology like composite materials, battery management systems and electric motors, there is an assumption that MOTs, maintenance and breakdown services deliver a much greater hit to the banks of EV owners. This is not the case. Data from Book My Garage revealed that EVs are considerably cheaper to service than their petrol, diesel and hybrid counterparts. According to Auto Express, this is a result of their fewer parts leading to a reduced need for servicing from the get-go. They back this up with some numbers:
The average cost for a petrol car service comes in at £151. Both diesel and hybrid vehicles have the same average of £163. Battery-powered EVs, those which have no hybrid qualities, drop this price to £103, well over a quarter less.
The only factor that could increase costs is the distance you may travel to find a garage that offers EV servicing. However, with the UK’s law of converting all manufacturing to EVs at just 7 years away, the amount of servicing garages that accommodate them is rapidly increasing. In any case, websites like the Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Alliance are easy and reliable sources to find the best EV service near you.
“EV Batteries go Straight to Landfill, Making Them Less Sustainable their Counterparts”
It is true that batteries require a lot of processes to full recycle, but the sheer size and power of EV batteries would make sending them to landfill an extremely poor economical decision. Because of this and the ever-increasing focus on environmental impacts, there are a number of schemes in place to extend and revive the life of these batteries.
Firstly, when the battery is no longer able to efficiently power an EV – after 8 or more years now in 2023 – it enters its second life. This is a stage prior to recycling that gives the battery plenty of useful options after it is no longer adequate to properly power the high demands of its vehicle. It can go on to power city streets, manufacturing plants or even the home of the driver. Our article on EV batteries dives into a number of active worldwide examples of where batteries have been reused in impressive systems.
After this process, the batteries are recycled and stripped of parts so that they can be used elsewhere. Battery recycling plants are expanding to reflect the rapid growth of EVs, like TES Singapore and Tuas, to name just a few.
“EVs Draw Power from the Grid so they’re Just as Unsustainable as their Counterparts”
Since the introduction of EVs, there has been an ongoing question of whether they are any more environmentally friendly than the petrol cars we are moving away from. Out of all of the myths in this article, this is the biggest.
The UK is set to reach net zero by 2050, meaning any greenhouse gas emissions are to be fully offset so that the gas we put into the air no longer increases. Already in 2023, 46% of Britain’s electricity comes from zero-carbon sources such as wind and solar PV, according to the National Grid themselves. EV chargepoints, unless they have their own local energy system, will use the UK’s network to source their power. This will grow more sustainable as renewable sources expand and develop efficiency in the next 27 years.
In addition, there are a number of new technologies enabling EVs to charge without needing to draw from the grid. The best examples of these are solar carports and battery storage systems. At Car Charged UK, we offer consultancy and installation of both of these as well as a system that synergises both; the solar carport draws electricity from daylight, feeding it into EVCPs. Whatever is not used then goes into the battery storage to be used at a later time such as night or winter.
To Conclude
Myths and misconceptions spread easily, but as EVs continue to take command of the roads, news on their developments is growing to replace them. To keep up with the demand, Car Charged UK offers both domestic and commercial installations, full consultancy and solar carports to upgrade your site’s setup.
To keep updated on our latest news regarding installations, EV developments and more articles like this, follow us on:
Facebook: Car Charged UK
Instagram: Car_Chargeduk
Twitter: CarChargedUK
Linkedin: car-charged-uk
EVs: Truths and Myths
Electric vehicles have been on our roads for over a decade but, when compared to their petrol counterparts, they have barely left their infancy. Although the number of EV drivers are rapidly growing, with over 840,000 registered as of this year, misinformation around their components, features and effects is inevitable. This article looks into a number of recent examples and studies to divide the myths from the truths of EVs.
“EVs are More Likely to Catch Fire”
Ever since the advent of battery-fuelled vehicles, headlines have been rife with claims of dangers and vulnerability to fire. Due to the inherently flammable nature of lithium-ion batteries when not properly disposed, it should have come as no surprise that fears would spread if vehicles became powered by them. However, data from Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency proves not that they are just as safe as fossil fuel-powered vehicles but 20x less likely to result in fires. This result comes from the records that out of their fleet of 611,000 electric cars, 0.004% of these have had a fire incident. Whereas their 4.4 million petrol and diesel cars include 0.08% which underwent an incident.
On top of this, the risk of EV fires is constantly decreasing due to more resilient anti-fire functions in newer models. For example, AIS has developed a coating that insulates the key components of electric vehicles to provide protection, even in the event of an underbody fire. They are simultaneously working on fire resistance that prevents thermal runaway, the heat-increasing process that is often the main cause of vehicle fires.
“EVs Cost More to Maintain than their Counterparts”
Because EVs contain cutting edge technology like composite materials, battery management systems and electric motors, there is an assumption that MOTs, maintenance and breakdown services deliver a much greater hit to the banks of EV owners. This is not the case. Data from Book My Garage revealed that EVs are considerably cheaper to service than their petrol, diesel and hybrid counterparts. According to Auto Express, this is a result of their fewer parts leading to a reduced need for servicing from the get-go. They back this up with some numbers:
The average cost for a petrol car service comes in at £151. Both diesel and hybrid vehicles have the same average of £163. Battery-powered EVs, those which have no hybrid qualities, drop this price to £103, well over a quarter less.
The only factor that could increase costs is the distance you may travel to find a garage that offers EV servicing. However, with the UK’s law of converting all manufacturing to EVs at just 7 years away, the amount of servicing garages that accommodate them is rapidly increasing. In any case, websites like the Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Alliance are easy and reliable sources to find the best EV service near you.
“EV Batteries go Straight to Landfill, Making Them Less Sustainable their Counterparts”
It is true that batteries require a lot of processes to full recycle, but the sheer size and power of EV batteries would make sending them to landfill an extremely poor economical decision. Because of this and the ever-increasing focus on environmental impacts, there are a number of schemes in place to extend and revive the life of these batteries.
Firstly, when the battery is no longer able to efficiently power an EV – after 8 or more years now in 2023 – it enters its second life. This is a stage prior to recycling that gives the battery plenty of useful options after it is no longer adequate to properly power the high demands of its vehicle. It can go on to power city streets, manufacturing plants or even the home of the driver. Our article on EV batteries dives into a number of active worldwide examples of where batteries have been reused in impressive systems.
After this process, the batteries are recycled and stripped of parts so that they can be used elsewhere. Battery recycling plants are expanding to reflect the rapid growth of EVs, like TES Singapore and Tuas, to name just a few.
“EVs Draw Power from the Grid so they’re Just as Unsustainable as their Counterparts”
Since the introduction of EVs, there has been an ongoing question of whether they are any more environmentally friendly than the petrol cars we are moving away from. Out of all of the myths in this article, this is the biggest.
The UK is set to reach net zero by 2050, meaning any greenhouse gas emissions are to be fully offset so that the gas we put into the air no longer increases. Already in 2023, 46% of Britain’s electricity comes from zero-carbon sources such as wind and solar PV, according to the National Grid themselves. EV chargepoints, unless they have their own local energy system, will use the UK’s network to source their power. This will grow more sustainable as renewable sources expand and develop efficiency in the next 27 years.
In addition, there are a number of new technologies enabling EVs to charge without needing to draw from the grid. The best examples of these are solar carports and battery storage systems. At Car Charged UK, we offer consultancy and installation of both of these as well as a system that synergises both; the solar carport draws electricity from daylight, feeding it into EVCPs. Whatever is not used then goes into the battery storage to be used at a later time such as night or winter.
To Conclude
Myths and misconceptions spread easily, but as EVs continue to take command of the roads, news on their developments is growing to replace them. To keep up with the demand, Car Charged UK offers both domestic and commercial installations, full consultancy and solar carports to upgrade your site’s setup.
To keep updated on our latest news regarding installations, EV developments and more articles like this, follow us on:
Facebook: Car Charged UK
Instagram: Car_Chargeduk
Twitter: CarChargedUK
Linkedin: car-charged-uk