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With so much information about EVs and their capabilities readily available, it can be difficult to make a decision about whether a hybrid or electric car is right for you as there are so many EV myths floating around.
So, to help you make a more informed choice, we address some of the most common misconceptions associated with hybrid and electric vehicles.
Myth 1
"The range isn't very good"
The all-new Kia e-Niro and all-new Kia Soul EV both have a real-world range of over 280 miles - that's almost the distance from Birmingham to Glasgow. If you consider that 98% of journeys in the UK are less than 50 miles, you would still have around 82% charge remaining.
Myth 2
"There's not enough chargers"
Most vehicle charging is done at home or at work, so the majority of drivers wake up or leave work without having to think about charging on the road. If you do need to charge on the road, there are more than 30,000 public charge points in the UK across more than 10,800 locations1 .
Myth 3
"EVs take too long to charge"
The majority of the time you're just topping up the charge which doesn't take too long. However, if you did want to charge from 0%, a 7kW home or workplace charger will charge an e-Niro to full in around 10 hours. If you're on the road, a 100kW rapid charger will give you 80% charge in just 45 minutes – perfect time to for a break or to grab a coffee after 280 miles of driving!
Myth 4
"Electric cars are slow"
Just a couple of seconds behind the wheel of a fully-electric car is enough to debunk this myth. Electric vehicles, such as the Kia e-Niro, produce maximum torque at all revs, so only need one forward gear. This means you get instant, rapid acceleration without needing to find the correct gear first. As a result, the Kia e-Niro sprints from 0-62mph in just 7.8 seconds.
Myth 5
"They're too expensive"
Electric cars do have a slightly higher P11D price, but this is offset by the plug-in car grant and reduced running costs. They also cost less to repair and service, are significantly cheaper to fuel and could save you thousands per year in BIK tax alone. You can also deduct the full cost of your vehicle from your profits before tax through First Year Allowance2 . So, when you look at Whole Life Costs, electric vehicles can cost considerably less than traditional cars.
Myth 8
"They can't get wet"
Electric cars most definitely can be driven in the rain and be charged when it's wet. You can drive or charge an electric vehicle whatever the weather. It's also fine to drive them through a car wash.
Myth 7
"EVs are more dangerous"
EVs like the Kia e-Niro and Soul EV have to undergo the same stringent safety tests and standards as regular cars. In fact, some studies have shown that electric vehicles are safer in an accident and less prone to catching fire than petrol or diesel equivalents4 . They are also equipped with a suite of advanced safety technologies, that will help you to avoid accidents altogether.
Myth 6
"The batteries don't last"
The battery packs in the Kia e-Niro and Soul EV are covered by Kia's 7-year, 100,000-mile warranty. Modern Lithium-ion Polymer batteries have turned out to be far more robust than originally thought - a recent study has shown that a Soul EV that's almost three years old have lost just over 1% of its total battery capacity3 .
