Key takeaways
- Range anxiety is the most common concern but the least supported by real-world UK data; the average daily drive is 20 to 30 miles, well within any modern EV's capability.
- EV batteries are designed to last 8 to 10 years; replacement is rare within typical ownership periods and costs have fallen sharply.
- Home charging at an overnight tariff rate costs around 2p per mile — far less than petrol or diesel.
- Lifecycle CO2 from a UK-charged EV is 60 to 70% lower than an equivalent petrol car (Carbon Trust, 2025).
- The UK public charging network passed 70,000 charge points in 2025, with rapid charger coverage now dense along all major routes (Zapmap data).
Myth 1: "EVs don't have enough range for real-world driving"
The reality: Most modern EVs offer 200 to 300 miles of real-world range on a full charge. The average UK daily drive is around 20 to 25 miles (Department for Transport data). That means most drivers use less than 10% of a typical EV's daily range on a typical day and charge overnight at home, arriving each morning with a full battery.
The concern is most legitimate for long motorway journeys. A 300-mile motorway trip will require a charging stop. But with the UK rapid charging network now exceeding 70,000 charge points (Zapmap, 2025), and a 20- to 30-minute rapid charge adding 100 to 150 miles of range, this is a planning inconvenience rather than a genuine barrier for most drivers. Range anxiety is primarily a pre-ownership concern — surveys consistently show it decreases sharply once drivers have owned an EV for a few weeks.
Myth 2: "The UK charging network isn't good enough"
The reality: The UK public charging network has expanded substantially. Zapmap data shows over 70,000 public charge points across more than 40,000 locations as of early 2026. Motorway services now have near-universal rapid charging coverage. Every major urban centre has a dense cluster of rapid and slow charge points.
Genuine gaps remain in rural areas and on some A-roads. And reliability is a legitimate concern — network uptime varies between operators, with some running 85 to 90% reliability and others lower. But the narrative of a broken or inadequate network is now significantly outdated. The practical experience for most UK EV drivers, particularly on planned routes, is that charging infrastructure is broadly adequate and improving each year.
Myth 3: "EVs are more expensive to run than petrol cars"
The reality: For drivers with home charging, EVs are substantially cheaper to run. At the standard home electricity rate of 24.5p/kWh (Ofgem Q2 2026) and average real-world efficiency of around 3.5 miles per kWh, you pay roughly 7p per mile. On an overnight EV tariff at around 7p/kWh, that falls to approximately 2p per mile. A petrol car at 40 mpg with fuel at 148p/litre costs around 16p per mile.
Add free road tax until April 2028, lower servicing costs (no oil changes, fewer brake replacements due to regenerative braking), and the annual running cost saving is typically £800 to £1,500 for an average driver. See our detailed breakdown of the real cost to run an electric car for the full picture across all cost categories.
The myth persists primarily because public rapid charging at 65 to 85p/kWh is expensive — similar per-mile cost to petrol. If you rely entirely on rapid public charging, the running cost advantage largely disappears. But the majority of EV drivers do 80 to 90% of their miles on home charging.
Myth 4: "EV batteries only last a few years"
The reality: EV batteries are engineered for longevity, not short service intervals. Most manufacturers warrant the battery to retain at least 70% of its original capacity after eight years or 100,000 miles. Many batteries significantly exceed this — data from high-mileage commercial EV fleets and taxi operators shows batteries retaining 80 to 85% capacity after 200,000 miles in some cases.
Degradation is real but gradual. A five-year-old EV with 80,000 miles might have lost 8 to 12% of its original range — noticeable but not debilitating. Factors that accelerate degradation include frequent ultra-rapid charging (above 150 kW), regularly charging to 100% and storing at full charge, and extreme heat or cold. Charging to 80% for daily use and reserving 100% for long trips is the standard advice to preserve battery health.
Battery replacement as a routine maintenance event — as sometimes implied — is a myth. In-warranty failures are handled by the manufacturer. Post-warranty failures are rare and replacement costs, when needed, have fallen to £3,000 to £8,000 for most vehicles, compared with £10,000 to £20,000 five years ago.
Myth 5: "Making an EV produces so much CO2 that it's worse than a petrol car"
The reality: Manufacturing an EV does produce more CO2 upfront than building a petrol car, primarily because of battery cell production. This manufacturing carbon debt is real. However, it is typically repaid within two to three years of average UK driving, after which the EV produces lower CO2 for the rest of its operational life.
Carbon Trust lifecycle analysis (2025) shows that a UK-charged EV produces 60 to 70% less total lifetime CO2 than an equivalent petrol car. As the UK electricity grid becomes progressively less carbon-intensive, this advantage grows. An EV charged predominantly from solar or on a renewable electricity tariff produces even lower lifetime emissions.
The claim that EVs are "worse for the environment" is based either on manufacturing-only comparisons (which ignore the operational phase) or on grid carbon intensity figures from a decade ago. On current data, it does not hold up.
Myth 6: "EVs can't tow properly"
The reality: It is partly true that towing significantly reduces EV range, but characterising EVs as unable to tow is inaccurate. Many EVs are type-approved for towing. The Tesla Model Y can tow up to 1,600 kg. The Mercedes EQC is rated to 1,800 kg. The Ford F-150 Lightning (available in the UK as an import) is rated to 4,500 kg.
The genuine concern is range reduction while towing. Towing a 1,500 kg caravan at motorway speed can reduce real-world EV range by 40 to 50%. A vehicle with 280 miles of solo range might achieve 150 to 160 miles while towing. That means more frequent charging stops on touring holidays. For occasional towing, most modern EVs are capable enough. For regular heavy towing over long distances, they require more route planning than a petrol alternative. This is a practical consideration, not a capability failure.
Myth 7: "EVs are boring to drive"
The reality: Electric motors deliver maximum torque from zero rpm. A mid-range family EV like the Tesla Model 3 or Kia EV6 can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under five seconds — faster than many sports cars of the 1990s. The driving experience is smooth, quiet, and characterised by instant throttle response with no gear changes.
Whether this is "better" than a petrol car is subjective — some drivers miss engine sound and gear changes, and that is a legitimate preference. But the factual claim that EVs are slow or underpowered is simply wrong. Even budget EVs such as the MG4 are quick by the standards of equivalent petrol hatchbacks.
Myth 8: "EVs depreciate so badly that you lose all your money"
The reality: Earlier EVs, particularly first-generation models and budget Chinese imports, did depreciate sharply. Used values for some older models fell 50 to 60% within three years. However, the market has matured significantly. Established mainstream brands including Tesla, Kia, BMW, and Volkswagen now show three-year depreciation rates broadly comparable to petrol equivalents in their class.
The ZEV mandate — which compels manufacturers to sell a rising proportion of EVs and results in heavy discounting on new models — creates downward pressure on used values across all brands. This is a genuine structural issue for 2025 and 2026. But the narrative of catastrophic universal depreciation is outdated. Battery State of Health (SOH) is now the dominant factor in used EV valuations; a well-maintained battery is a strong selling point. See our guide to electric car depreciation in the UK for current data by brand and model.
The bottom line
Most of the persistent objections to EVs are based on data that was accurate three to five years ago but has been overtaken by the pace of change in the market. Range, charging infrastructure, running costs, battery longevity, and environmental credentials have all improved substantially. The genuine limitations that remain — range reduction while towing, the inconvenience of public charging versus a home charger, and residual depreciation uncertainty — are real but narrower than the myths suggest.
If you are weighing up a switch, base the decision on current data rather than received wisdom. The honest answer in 2026 is that EVs work very well for most UK drivers, and the decision depends primarily on your personal circumstances rather than the car's fundamental capability.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if my electric car runs out of charge unexpectedly?
Modern EVs give repeated warnings before the battery runs critically low, typically starting when 20 to 30 miles of estimated range remains and escalating as the battery depletes further. The navigation system automatically routes you to the nearest charge point. If you do run flat, all major UK breakdown providers (AA, RAC, Green Flag) carry mobile charging units that provide a short boost to reach the nearest charger. It is uncommon for prepared drivers but does happen on unplanned detours — the habit of checking the map before a longer journey eliminates most occurrences.
How long does an electric car battery last?
Most EV batteries are designed to retain at least 70 to 80% of their original capacity after 8 to 10 years or 100,000 miles, and most manufacturers back this up with an eight-year battery warranty. Real-world data from high-mileage fleets and ride-sharing vehicles suggests many batteries exceed these projections. Consumer EV batteries degrading to the point of requiring replacement within a typical ownership period (five to seven years) are rare. Replacement costs, if needed, have fallen significantly — now typically £3,000 to £8,000 depending on the vehicle, compared with £10,000 to £20,000 five years ago.
Are electric cars actually cheaper to run than petrol?
Yes, for most UK drivers with home charging. At the standard home electricity rate (24.5p/kWh, Q2 2026), driving costs roughly 7p per mile. At an overnight EV tariff rate of around 7p/kWh, it falls to approximately 2p per mile. A petrol car averaging 40 mpg costs around 16p per mile in fuel. Add lower servicing costs and free road tax until April 2028, and the annual running cost saving is typically £800 to £1,500. Public rapid charging at 65 to 85p/kWh is less favourable, but the majority of EV drivers charge primarily at home.
Are electric cars worse for the environment than petrol cars?
No, when assessed over the full lifecycle. Manufacturing an EV does produce more CO2 than building a petrol car, primarily due to battery production. However, this carbon debt is typically repaid within two to three years of average UK driving. Over a full vehicle lifespan, a UK-charged EV produces 60 to 70% less lifetime CO2 than an equivalent petrol car (Carbon Trust, 2025). The figure improves further as the UK grid becomes less carbon-intensive, and further still if the car is charged primarily from renewable energy or solar.
Do electric cars depreciate faster than petrol cars?
Historically yes, but the gap is closing significantly. Older, first-generation models and budget EVs still depreciate faster than petrol equivalents. However, established mainstream brands including Tesla, Kia, BMW, and Volkswagen now show depreciation rates broadly comparable to their petrol equivalents over three-year periods. The ZEV mandate creating discounted new EV prices is a structural pressure on all used EV values in 2025 and 2026, but battery health is now the dominant factor in used EV valuations rather than age alone.