18 Questions About Electric Vehicles Most People Get Wrong | Are You Surprised?

EVs are a great idea in theory, but in practice, they have some shortcomings that you need to know about before you buy one. Here are the top questions we researched from Facebook groups and car forums, that people have about electric cars.  

If you are planning to buy an electric car you should be able to answer these if you are making an informed decision.

First, let’s be clear on what is an EV.

It’s a vehicle with no internal combustion engine (ICE) that you see in a conventional car. Instead of an engine, EVs have a large battery and electric motor that provide the power to move the car. EVs can be fully electric (e.g. Nissan Leaf) or plug-in hybrids (e.g. Toyota Prius), which run on electric power for a limited range before switching to combustion.

1) What BEV (battery electric vehicle) has the longest range on a single charge?

The Tesla Model 3 Long Range. The base EV comes with 220 miles and 310 miles of electric range on models with dual electric motors.

2) How long does it take to recharge an EV battery?

It depends on the power source and EV. However, most EV charging is done at home overnight using a regular outlet or higher voltage outlet over 12 hours.  Public, DC fast chargers (which are too expensive to install at home) can replenish 50% of a battery’s range in less than an hour. 

3) Is there any way to speed up car recharging?

Yes! Once you have plugged your charger into an open EVSE (Electric Vehicle Service Equipment) port in your garage, you can use a Tesla Wall Connector to recharge at up to 20 miles of range per hour.

 4) Do EV batteries lose their charge when not in use?

These batteries lose about 5-10% of their capacity every month. However, this isn’t a problem because EV owners generally use them as their primary vehicles.  No, EV batteries do not “go dead” in the traditional sense. Unless your EV is plugged in and charging, it has the same amount of range as before.

5) Does EV charging cause a loss in battery life?

The jury is still out on EV battery life – the National Renewable Energy Laboratory suggests that EV batteries can be expected to retain 96% of their performance after 100,000 miles. However, EV batteries typically deplete about 5% after 1,000 charges which is less than most EV drivers drive in a given year. EV batteries typically last for 100,000 miles and can be replaced if needed.

6) How far can an electric vehicle go on a single charge?

The Tesla Model S, one of the most popular EVs on the market today by sales volume, can go about 249 miles on a single charge. The Hyundai Ioniq EV has a range of about 124 miles. The Tesla Model 3 Long Range comes with 220 miles and 310 miles on models with dual motors.

Tesla vehicles have a large battery and electric motor that provide the power to move the car. EV drivers typically do not have to worry about range, but EV mileage is still important.

While the Tesla Model S can go about 249 miles on a single charge, a gas car has a range of 400 – 500 miles before needing to get to a gas station. However, U.S. drivers typically travel only 31 miles per day, after which home charging can top off the charge. This makes the long range of most electric cars less of an issue if you plan to use an EV for commuting and not for long distances. 

Due to EV mileage, EV drivers are encouraged to purchase an EV with a longer range than they will ever need in order to save on EV charging. EV drivers also tend to charge regularly, even if they don’t need to, in order to keep their EV regularly charged. EV mileage is typically about 90 miles per charge, though EV with a longer range may be available.

7) Are EVs affordable to buy?

EVs are sometimes more affordable than traditional vehicles because EV manufacturers like Tesla sell their EVs directly online. EV models typically start around $30,000, though EV models may go as high as $100,000.  State and local incentives–often as much as $7,500–can reduce the cost of the electric car.

8) Are maintenance costs lower for electric cars than for gas-powered vehicles?

EVs are typically cheaper to maintain than gas-powered vehicles because EV engines do not require oil changes, fuel filters, spark plugs or PCV valves. EV motors typically last longer than gas-powered motors because EV motors don’t lose any power when idle and EV engines are able to coast when EV drivers are at a stop. 

Research by AAA in 2019 indicates that the overall cost of ownership for an electric vehicle can be 8% more, but other savings can make it more attractive depending on the cost of gas and the cost of electric power.  

Driving 15,000 miles averages about $550 for battery electric vehicles vs. $1,225 for gas-powered cars. If an electric car is maintained well it costs about $950 per year, which is about $350 less than what it costs for a gas-powered car.

9) Are there enough public charging stations for EVs across the USA? 

There are more than 40,000 EV charging stations across the USA as of early 2021, and EV drivers can charge their EVs at home or at work. Many EV charging stations are free.  Companies like Chargepoint, Electrify America, and Tesla continue to build out public charging stations, and several small businesses, hotels, strip malls, public parks, etc. are adding charging stations.

10) How much does it cost to charge an electric car?

The average EV driver spends $770/year in EV charging costs. EV owners usually save money on fuel and EV maintenance costs.

11) Are EV owners happy about their purchase and why? 

EV owners are happy with EV purchases because EV cars typically offer better EV mileage than gas-powered vehicles, EV motors do not lose EV power when idle, EV owners can charge their EVs at home or at work with EV charging stations, and EV owners save on EV maintenance costs. Electric Vehicles (EVs) are cars powered by EV motors that run on electricity. EV engines do not lose power when idle, EV motors are able to coast, and EV engines do not require oil changes, fuel filters, spark plugs, or PCV valves.

12) What is the difference between plug-in hybrid vs. pure electric

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles will operate on electric power alone for as long as 50 miles. Batteries are extremely efficient and the most modern models have enough range to satisfy the requirements of a typical passenger for many days without ever fully recharging. A single 120-volt outlet will recharge your daily energy use. This will prevent you from spending a ton of energy on 240-volt homes. For convenience and safety, EV owners will prefer a 240 voltage charger; but for convenience, they’ll need a bigger, more valuable, and more reliable EV charger. A recent analysis suggested that electric vehicles were cheaper in their first quarter compared to gasoline.

13) Are electric vehicles environmentally friendly?

If people never drove them, Camaros will become a part of the environmental movement. EV batteries need significant energy to produce and the cost associated with the mined metals is expensive. Though EVs rarely produce greenhouse gas, they produce electricity from the electricity that is drawn from the ground instead. Read more on CNN.

14) Can I tow an EV?

Many models today have not received weight ratings to lift, some of which do only slightly pull small cargo. EVs are incredibly slippery but attachment to a trailer on this would seem the equivalent of fitting a parachute into a marathon running gear. We wouldn’t recommend it but trucking is not our goal or it seems logical.

15) How can we call them zero-emissions vehicles if I plug my EV?

Compared to other electric vehicles a 30pc reduction means electricity is using less electricity. Every day more renewable resources flood into the grid so that emissions from electric cars decrease and clean up the electrical grid. The highest rate of rooftop solar panels is currently being deployed across the globe and the majority of car owners have solar panels to plug into whenever the sun shines and use only zero-emissions to drive their vehicles. 

16) Are batteries bad for the environment?

Cobalt, lithium, and nickel are used to build EV batteries. There are also issues with the mining industry’s record in some countries where they are mined. Issues include child exploitation and child labor issues, land rights issues, and pollution. Mr. Whitehead said Australia would already become a world leader in lithium and rare mineral production and would develop new products at a higher than average price. As mentioned above we can improve e-waste recycling all over the world. “It’s the biggest investment opportunity in the country – but we need to get there right now.” It is critically important that we deal with this issue.

17) What are the problems faced by electric cars? 

EV mileage is EV important to EV drivers. EV owners cannot find EV charging stations near their home or work and EV buyers do not yet have access to EV models that EV drivers can afford. EV prices may be less competitive due to EV manufacturers selling EVs directly online and EV buyers face EV charging costs of EV $770/year.

18) Are electric vehicles more reliable?

EV engines do not lose EV power when idle, EV motors are able to coast, and EV batteries last for the life of the vehicle. EV motors typically last longer than gas-powered EVs. EV engines do not require oil changes, fuel filters, spark plugs, or PCV valves.  EV engines do not lose EV power when idle, EV motors are able to coast, and EV batteries last for the life of the vehicle. EV motors typically last longer than gas-powered EVs. EV engines do not require oil changes, fuel filters, spark plugs or PCV valves.

Conclusion 

Why should I buy an electric car?

In conclusion, if you are contemplating buying an EV,  EV mileage is important, EV models start around $30,000 and EV models go as high as $100,000. EV drivers can charge their EV at home or at work. EV drivers typically do not have to worry about EV range because EV charging stations are readily available. EV owners save money on EV maintenance and EV owners tend to be fairly happy with EV purchases.

In fact gas costs two-thirds like electric cars. This is more so for drivers who pay off high-energy electricity rates from their own charger at home. EVs generate no toxic tailpipe or particulate waste emissions that may contribute to respiratory symptoms such as asthma. Many EVs have lower maintenance expenses because they have fewer and simpler components and do not necessitate fluid changes and repairs. When combined with a house solar system, fuel costs could be completely eliminated although it can take time to recoup for installing solar panel costs. Buying electricity to charge is convenient.