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<\/p>\nA new guide has been published addressing some of the top myths about electric vehicles \u2013 including that the battery needs to be replaced every two years.<\/p>\n
EVs breaking down more than other cars, or being at a higher risk of catching fire, are other common misconceptions about these battery-powered cars.<\/p>\n
And not being able to charge electric cars in the rain, as well as the electricity grid being unprepared to handle an increase in electric cars, rounded out the top five mistaken beliefs.<\/p>\n
Over a third (35%), of the 2,000 drivers polled, admitted they were not sure how long an electric vehicle can drive for on one charge \u2013 with 11% believing it would only last a couple of hours. But four in 10 would be more likely to make the switch if there were more charging stations or ports available.<\/p>\n
The research was commissioned by heycar, which has published an EV guide to debunk these top myths. Senior editor, Phil Hall, said: \u201cThere\u2019s still a huge amount of inaccurate information floating around about EV ownership, and concerns around reliability are a prime example. <\/p>\n
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\u201cMost manufacturers provide a minimum eight-year, 100,000-mile, warranty on batteries \u2013 that\u2019s longer than most combustion engine warranties.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd compared to a petrol or diesel engine, there\u2019s significantly fewer moving parts on an EV \u2013 meaning there\u2019s much less chance of something breaking, or needing to be replaced.\u201d<\/p>\n
It also emerged 55% are relieved at the recent petrol ban delay, as they don\u2019t think they could afford an electric car any time soon.<\/p>\n
But there is uncertainty around running costs, with half believing that they are more expensive to run \u2013 when, in reality, there could be savings to be made.<\/p>\n
The heycar spokesman said: \u201cIt\u2019s understandable that the cost of transitioning to an EV is a big concern right now, but there are some great options on nearly-new EVs \u2013 and you could even end up paying less for one, compared to a petrol or diesel equivalent.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not just the upfront cost of ownership where you could save money, either \u2013 as, depending on how many miles you cover each year, your running costs could easily be more than half of what they are right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, three in 10 believe electric cars have a negative reputation in the eyes of the public \u2013 with social media (34%), and the pub (17%), among the top places where people think EV myths are spread the most.<\/p>\n
However, three-quarters (74%) admit their knowledge of EVs is shaky \u2013 with 42% claiming to know more about interest rates, while 31% feel they have better knowledge about mortgages. Politics (38%) and taxes (30%) were also topics people feel more confident about.<\/p>\n
As such, almost seven in 10 (69%) reckon the government could do more to offer grants for drivers to make the switch to an electric car.<\/p>\n
And of those who took part in the study, carried out by OnePoll.com, 16% believe EV myths are spread more at Christmas compared to any other time of the year, due to people socialising more. <\/p>\n
The spokesman for heycar added: \u201cWe\u2019ve all come across people on social media, or at the pub, who tend to share misconceptions about topics they're not actually that familiar with, or qualified to talk about. That\u2019s why we\u2019re starting out on a myth-busting mission, to be a source of fact amongst the EV fiction.\u201d<\/p>\n
THE TOP FIVE ELECTRIC VEHICLE MISCONCEPTIONS, DEBUNKED:<\/p>\n