For many consumers, EVs are still a futuristic concept rather than something they should seriously consider buying today. Many of these misconceptions derive from a lack of EV education and, as a result, a strong belief in many EV myths that fog the typical buyer’s decision-making. 

However, not all dealers have prepared their sales teams to discuss and debunk these falsities, resulting in lost sales opportunities. This article briefly lists seven EV myths those dealers should understand and explain to skeptical would-be customers. 

7 EV Myths 

1. The Charging Infrastructure is Insufficient 

The home or workplace is where most EV charging takes place. However, there are also nearly 50,000 public charging stations in the United States as of January 2023, typically at public parking garages, retail parking lots, and dealerships.  

Most are Level 2 (between 208 240 watts) chargers that take about four hours to replenish an EV’s battery pack. However, a growing number of DC Fast Charging stations, also known as Level 3 charging, can restore up to 80% of an EV’s charge in 30 minutes. 

2. They Are Unsafe 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) does not safety test all EVs because they are often low-volume vehicles. However, those vehicles that these entities test produce favorable results.  

EVs use compact battery packs – rather than big, heavy engines – that take up a small part of the vehicle’s interior. Smaller space restrictions allow automakers to concentrate more on safety designs and less on how to fit everything inside. 

Also, rumors of electric vehicle batteries combusting or bursting in a collision are untrue. The incidence and magnitude of fires or explosions from lithium-ion batteries are equivalent to or less than those for ICE vehicles, according to a new in-depth examination by NHTSA. 

3. They Have a Limited Driving Range 

EV driving ranges grow as technology advances. A current EV model averages around 250 miles, with some exceeding 300 miles. In the meantime (and as mentioned above), the expanding network of rapid highway chargers makes charging stops quick and easy. 

4. EV Batteries Are Inefficient and Wasteful 

Federal law requires EVs to have separate battery pack warranties that last at least eight years or 100,000 miles, and research indicates that many batteries are still at 75% capacity after 120,000 miles. 

EV batteries are also recyclable like most ICE counterparts. Many components of discarded EV power cells are reused in vehicles or used to store solar and wind energy. 

5. Repairs and Maintenance Are Expensive 

EVs are less expensive to maintain than ICE-powered cars. EVs do not need routine oil changes or tune-ups. They also use fewer moving parts that need repair or eventual replacement, including valves, spark plugs, tailpipes, mufflers, and drive belts. 

6. Charging Will Overload Power Grids 

It’s a common misconception that the country’s outdated power system can never support the surge in demand for EVs. However, according to energy experts, even full electrification (i.e., all cars on the road being EVs) would grow demand by only 25%. Electrification is a gradual transition that will take several years, if not decades, giving utilities time to adjust and expand supply. 

Lastly, most charging occurs at home overnight when power grids experience minimal usage. 

7. They Underperform in Colder Weather 

Even though drivers might lose some range during the harshest winter days, the notion that EVs become ineffective in colder weather is untrue. In fact, residents in several northern countries have been driving EVs successfully for several years.  

Norway, for example, in 2021, Norway had more EVs per capita than any other country in the world with 86% of all car sales, followed by Iceland (72%), Sweden (43%), Denmark (35%), and Finland (31%). 

Debunking EV Myths and Selling More Inventory Requires the Best Solutions 

Like any recent technology entering the market, EVs have their critics and skeptics. However, today’s models are significantly more advanced than those that first appeared on the market ten years ago, and many initial concerns about EV reliability and efficiency are now obsolete. 

As a result, sales teams must work with consumers and help educate them on the outdated EV myths that still unnecessarily raise red flags. Accomplishing this requires partnering with the industry’s top solutions provider, who can equip your sales team with the knowledge and technology to boost EV sales. 

Contact us today and learn how Affinitiv’s innovative technologies and EV initiative can help your sales teams understand more about EV myths, learn how to explain their falsities to customers, and sell more vehicles.