February 08, 2019

Misconceptions About Electric Cars

2 minutes

Tesla’s Model 3 was one of the best-selling cars in the United States last year, eclipsing all but a handful of sedans. This was the first time that an electric car had that honor and is indicative of how electric cars are finally becoming mainstream. A host of other new electric models from multiple manufacturers will be the entering the market over the next couple of years.

Despite all of this progress, there is still a great deal of

misinformation about electric cars. A

new study commissioned by Volkswagen revealed some of the widespread misconceptions

about the vehicles.

Some people believe that electric cars can’t be driven through

puddles. Nearly one in five people

believe that electric cars slow down as the battery depletes. Many people believe that electric cars are

fundamentally less safe than gas-powered cars.

More generally, people are unaware of how far current electric cars

can drive on a charge. More and more

models can go 200 and even over 300 miles between charging sessions. People also don’t know how quickly cars can

charge up either. Fast chargers like

Tesla’s Superchargers can add 200 miles worth of charge in about 20

minutes. And people don’t know what it

costs to charge electric cars. In most

places, it is only a fraction of what it costs to drive the same distance using

gasoline.

Despite their limited knowledge about electric cars, the 2,000 people surveyed in Britain were positively disposed towards them with nearly 6 in 10 saying that they would like to own an electric car some day and would even consider one as their next vehicle.

Electric cars will become more familiar and less exotic as more and

more of them are on our roads and highways.

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Web Links

Major misconceptions prevent drivers from buying electric cars, study claims

Photo, posted April 6, 2018, courtesy of Brian Doyle via Flickr.

Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/electric-cars-misconceptions-battery-charging-safety-volkswagen-study-results-a8700536.html

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