AutomotiveElectrical

Charging An Electric Car And The Common Misconceptions

Conversations surrounding electric cars occur during talks about climate change. Despite the first electric car being built in the late 1800s, many know Tesla as one of the leaders in electric cars. This is because the car manufacturing giants are viewed as pioneers in zero-carbon transportation.

As talks surrounding climate change and the urgency to make changes intensify, consumers are changing their lifestyles to be more sustainable. One of them is switching to electric cars. The car industry is anticipating that there will be a surge in sales this year as the 2030 ban on sales of new diesel and petrol-powered cars draws closer.

Despite this rising interest, many doubters are still unsure about the longevity of electric cars, specifically around charging them. As expected, there are many misconceptions surrounding charging an electric car, and here are a few of them.

Is Charging An Electric Car Worse For the Environment?

Electric cars are viewed as being the greener vehicle choice. Electric cars have a smaller carbon footprint than diesel and petrol cars. However, most electric cars are charged by being plugged into off-board sources of electricity. This is produced from various sources, including hydropower, natural gas, solar energy and wind energy, to name a few. These renewable sources help to keep the carbo emissions levels as low as possible, helping electric vehicles remain a greener option.

Are The Charging Times Slow?

One of the common reasonings some choose not to invest in an electric car is due to charging times. There is a common belief that charging times for electric vehicles is incredibly slow, and it will take excessive time to fully charge your car. Contrary to popular belief, the charge times for an electric car vary, as LV ElectriX details. The model and make of an electric car can influence the charging times and types of charging points. Some charging points offer a faster charge in comparison to others.

Does It Cost More To Charge An Electric Car?

Charging times could influence a person’s decision to switch to an electric car. Another decision is the costs involve. Comparing the initial costs of an electric car to a petrol and diesel one, electric cars have a slightly higher price tag. However, when comparing the long-term costs, electric cars are the more cost-effective option. For instance, the cost to charge an electric car fully is lower than that of filling a petrol and diesel car up.

Are There Limited Charging Points Available?

Along with slow charging times and costs, another common belief is that very limited charging points are available. Currently, across 24,909 charging locations, there are 42,566 charging points. Whilst this might not sound like a lot, there has been an increase of 37% in charging points across the UK. As electric cars become more popular due to them being the greener car choice, this total of charging points will continue to rise.

Charging an electric car is easier than some might have previously believed. The points mentioned above show that the growing popularity and demand for electric cars are helping to improve accessibility to charging points and charging times for these greener vehicles.