Why haven’t you yet made the switch from your gas-guzzling automobile to an electric vehicle (EV)? There are several fascinating new EVs available on the market, ranging from sports cars to pickup trucks and manufactured by a variety of automakers.
According to Jenni Newman, editor-in-chief of Cars.com and a panelist at the inaugural Chicago Drives Electric event in late 2022, 37 percent of Americans are contemplating EVs the next time they purchase for a vehicle.
A comparable study by Consumer Reports (its largest ever on the topic) indicated that more than one-third of respondents would consider purchasing an electric vehicle provided certain obstacles were removed.
If this is you, we’re here to dispel some of the old stereotypes that may be preventing you from switching to electric vehicles.
Myth 1. EVs Are Too Hard to Charge
Charging an electric vehicle is not as straightforward as filling a petrol or diesel vehicle. This takes only minutes, but charging an electric vehicle takes longer and requires a charging station. The most convenient place to charge is at home, but if you live in a townhouse or condominium where this is not available, you must make other charging arrangements. This is not always practical, but it is not impossible.
As a result, it is simple to locate EV chargers if you are near a major metropolitan region. Currently, there are more than 160,000 chargers in the United States; this number climbed more in 2022 than in the three years prior combined. Tesla has around 1,400 Supercharger stations in the United States, while Mercedes-Benz has just unveiled a network of charging hubs with 2,500 plug-in chargers across North America.
Still, the United States requires more, particularly in rural areas where charging infrastructure can be scarce. The situation will improve, according to Sam Abuelsamid, a principal research analyst at Guidehouse Insights and an EV industry expert.
Abuelsamid said via email, “The charging infrastructure situation is improving in terms of both availability and dependability, but it’s still not as excellent as it should be.” The infrastructure law will provide funds for the installation of 500,000 new public charging stations over the next several years. Abuelsamid is alluding to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, which will invest $5 billion over the next five years on the nation’s EV charging infrastructure.
Myth 2. The Range Is Too Short on Full Charge
The low range of EVs on a single charge is a major disincentive for prospective consumers. When EVs first entered the market, this was the case, but there have been significant increases in battery life since then.
The 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric, for example, has a range of around 258 miles (415 kilometers). The 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5, with a base price of $42,785, can go an additional 303 miles (487.6 kilometers).
At 396 miles, the Tesla Model S still offers one of the greatest ranges on the market (637 kilometers). However, the Lucid Air is the luxury electric vehicle with the longest range on the market. It has a range of 516 miles (830 kilometers) when completely charged, but costs a staggering $138,000.
Myth 3. Dealers Don’t Have EVs
The coronavirus pandemic has taught us a great deal about how people purchase automobiles, especially that they desire more options. Even though some consumers have responded positively to the online car-buying process, 73 percent of buyers desire to test drive and purchase EVs at local dealerships, according to research conducted by Cars.com.
Consequently, vehicle salespeople and dealerships must stock EVs on their lots. Technically, they do, but we agree that they do not effectively “sell” them. And by marketing we mean this. The reality is that dealerships do not do enough to educate potential consumers about electric vehicles (EVs), and EVs are typically underrepresented in dealer showrooms, despite their increasing presence in manufacturers’ lineups. Sometimes it’s difficult for consumers to locate an electric vehicle to test drive.
Abuelsamid states that dealerships are not necessarily to blame for car shortages in recent years, but they may do more to promote EVs.
“The reluctance of many dealerships to promote EVs is also a hurdle,” says Abuelsamid. “Automakers are pressuring dealers to make substantial investments in EV training, support, and equipment, which will hopefully result in more positive attitudes from dealers hoping to sell EVs, as many new EVs are expected to hit the market in the next couple of years and production volume will increase dramatically.”
Myth 4. Electric Cars Are Boring to Drive
First, if you haven’t driven an electric vehicle, please do so before claiming that they are uninteresting. Because in a race from zero to sixty miles per hour (zero to 96.5 kilometers per hour), an electric Mustang Mach-E will always beat a gas-powered Mustang. EVs have a speedier acceleration than their gasoline-powered rivals.
“Giving individuals the opportunity to really test drive an EV has shown to be the most effective way to turn EV skeptics into intenders,” adds Abuelsamid. “It is quite difficult to adequately describe how EVs feel when the accelerator is pressed, but putting butts in seats almost always works.”
Obviously, not all EVs are as quick as a Mach-E or Tesla Model S, but they’re all quicker than most skeptics anticipate. EV trucks such as the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning, 2023 All-Electric Chevrolet Silverado, and 2023 Rivian R1T deliver a hefty punch when it comes to towing capacity.
Myth 5. EV Tax Credits and Rebates Are Too Much Hassle
It is true that the available tax credits, rebates, and incentives for purchasing an electric vehicle might be confusing. However, they are also improving. In many states, for instance, dealerships process rebates at the time of sale, allowing purchasers to save money on the purchase price immediately rather than when they submit their taxes. The Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law in August 2022, will make this the usual procedure beginning in 2024.
But the Inflation Reduction Act also brought about additional modifications. Several provisions will eliminate the eligibility of many EVs for tax credits. Additionally, the Act restricts where battery components can be sourced.
There is logic to these decisions, but they do not make it simpler for consumers to choose how to claim federal and state tax credits and refunds. Until 2024, the website of the Alternative Fuels Data Center of the U.S. Department of Energy includes all applicable incentives by state.
