EV myths are wide of the mark

With EVs still the subject of out-of-date or simply inaccurate commentary, Alex Hinchcliffe, managing director at Mer, breaks down the biggest myths and shares charge point operator insights on the truth about electric vehicles and charging.

Misinformation and disinformation are widespread in the EV and e-mobility space. From subtle misunderstandings to outright dishonesty, conflicting information continues to lead drivers down the wrong path. So it is only fair that those who understand the EV industry address these and put to rest some of the most common and damaging inaccuracies, such as the following.

‘EVs are worse for the environment than petrol/diesel cars’

According to analysis from the UK Government, electric vehicles – all electric vehicle types, from personal vehicles to fleets – have significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions. Indeed, lower operation emissions offset the initial carbon footprint within 1-2 years of driving. Improvements in battery and charging technology will lower emissions even more in the future.

There’s a lot of misinformation about EVs’ enviromental impact but the facts speak for themselves. EVs produce no tailpipe emissions and, when charged with renewable energy from chargepoints they have a significantly reduced carbon footprint than petrol or diesel vehicles.

‘EV batteries don’t last long and will need to be replaced often’

Another topical concern that arises is about battery lifespan and degradation. Evidence from the Government’s lifecycle analysis of UK road vehicles shows that battery replacement is not needed for EVs over normal operational lifetimes, with future improvements in batteries expected to further improve lifespan. But the type of vehicle and the way it’s used is a key factor behind battery degradation; larger HGVs that travel long distances and carry heavy goods may have faster degradation than that of a smaller vehicle. Yet ultimately, advancements in battery technology make it so that replacement for a normally used vehicle is not needed during their operational lifetimes.

‘EVs take too long to charge’

There are four different types of chargers: slow, fast, rapid and ultra-rapid. Most of the UK’s infrastructure is made up of fast chargers (taking a time of 3-6 hours to charge), but the adoption of rapid (30 minute to one hour charging time) and ultra-rapid chargers (10-20 minutes charging time) around the UK is accelerating. Mer supports and provides fast chargers rapid chargers and ultra-rapid chargers. There’s a plethora of chargers to choose from, with a range of times.

Chargers are increasingly achieving a 10-20-minute dwell time, making the question not ‘how fast can we make charging’, but rather, ‘can we make charging fit the activity done at the chargepoint’. Drivers can often find chargers at retail parks and motorway service stations, where grabbing a coffee or reading emails is common. So, the EV charging time frame is no longer a problem it once was, it frees time to take a break, pop to the shop and get ready for the road ahead.

‘The electricity grid is struggling with EV adoption’

With a relatively new technology and concept like electric vehicles plugging into an already strained grid that was not designed for this level of usage, concerns are rampant. Yet, smart charging and integrating renewable energy help to reduce strain on national grid infrastructure, and developments to make sure the grid is ready for EV adoption have been underway for years.

This is why many charge point operators, such as Mer, often utilise on-site renewable energy as a substitute for the grid. Meanwhile, V2X technologies can be combined with batteries to allow excess power to be stored for later. Solving grid issues relies not just on technology, but also looking for operational solutions, such as encouraging charging outside of peak times through tariffs.

Ultimately for now, the grid can cope, but it needs reinforcement at the rate of EV adoption. Which is why it is so important to work around the limitations. By being clever and employing a wide variety of strategies and technologies we can reduce the strain. Long term though, there must be a wider investment in energy infrastructure at a national level.

‘Charging is inconvenient and inaccessible, and there aren’t enough chargepoints’

At the end of February of this year, there were 75,675 chargepoints across 38,350 locations in the UK with thousands more being added each month. Mer has a network of chargers around the UK, providing reliable, accessible chargepoints to drivers from Northumbria to Cornwall.

With more electric fleets being adopted by businesses around the country, charging infrastructure is getting more and more accessible to adopt, with guides for fleet managers and assistance for the transition like design consultancies.

EV charging is growing fast, and we’re making it easier every day. With more chargers installed constantly, we’re focused on making charging accessible, reliable, and abundant. Public charging networks have expanded exponentially, and with smart charging at home, at work and on the go, driving electric is more convenient than ever.

‘EVs are too expensive’

For many, the upfront cost of a new EV has been a barrier to transitioning from an ICE vehicle. However, the secondary market of EVs is booming with purchasing a used EV becoming more and more accessible.

Along with this, the total cost of ownership (TCO) is lower than a traditional combustion engine vehicle, with lower maintenance cost, fuel savings and tax incentives to encourage the switch. There are also other, simple ways to reduce the cost of owning and electric car, from charging at off-peak times, driving efficiently and being mindful of aircon and heating usage.

We believe that owning an EV shouldn’t be a luxury; it’s the future and we want to ensure that it’s accessible to all. From convenient chargepoints to competitive pricing and the aspect of 100% renewable energy fuelling your car, we’re working to build the infrastructure that makes clean, reliable and affordable transportation a reality.

Fact-based conversations are the future

From cost to battery life and charging access, there are many myths about EVs circulated each and every day. When evaluating EVs, we at Mer encourage you to prioritise credible sources of information and stay informed of the aspects of the evolving environment – from grid updates to battery evolution, charging improvements and innovations. We work to provide reliable, accessible and widespread chargepoints, and we encourage drivers, fleet operators and those active in the sector to be a part of the clean, e-mobility shift