What are typical prejudices against electric cars? If you're looking for an answer to this question, you've come to the right place! The electric car is a sustainable alternative to conventional petrol or diesel cars and is becoming increasingly popular. Even though demand is growing, there are still many myths, clichés and false assumptions surrounding electromobility that are the subject of controversial debate and are literally slowing down acceptance in our society - and therefore also environmental and climate protection.
In this article, I want to counteract any possible bias, tell you the most common electric car prejudices and debunk them one by one. Let's go!
You can find a brief overview here in advance:
- Low range
- Danger and uncertainty
- Inadequate charging infrastructure
- High prices and costs
- Environmentally harmful production
- Boring appearance
- Short life and recycling of batteries
- Power grid collapse
- High tire wear
- Insufficient availability of raw materials
- Problematic cobalt extraction
- Lack of engine noise
- Loss of jobs
- Not mature, technical development
1. "Electric cars have too short a range. They are impractical for everyday use and when traveling."
Electric cars are often criticized for the fact that their range is still too limited compared to conventional motor vehicles and that they are too expensive. not suitable for longer distances (e.g. vacation trips) is.
But on average, the range of e-cars in 2020 was already 375 kilometerswhich is absolutely sufficient for everyday journeys.₁ Especially as you can (ideally) also charge at home using the wallbox.
On longer journeys, many models still need to allow some time for charging, but this can easily be combined with a break. However, there are also fast charging stations where the car can be recharged within 30 minutes so that it can cover a long distance again.
Some electric vehicles, such as the Mercedes EQS, can be already more than 750 kilometers at a stretch drive. In just a few years, the average range of all electric cars will be around 784 kilometers.
Don't be afraid to lie down: There is also no need to worry about suddenly coming to a standstill on the highway. You will be informed in good time when the battery is almost depleted. The electric vehicles also automatically switch to energy-optimized mode.
2. "Electric cars are unsafe - mainly because of the burning batteries."
Another myth surrounding the electric car is that, because the battery is ignite much faster and burst into flames - and that the fire department would have difficulty extinguishing the fire. But on the one hand cars with gasoline or diesel engines have the much more flammable fuel on board and, secondly, the intensity of the fire depends on the material of the car.
The image of burning electric cars has only recently - and in the truest sense of the word - become "burned" into people's minds. Mainly because the media outcry is particularly high when a car that is on fire happens to have an electric motor.
The figures also confirm that this is an electric car prejudice. The American highway fire department states that there are around two fires in electric cars for every billion kilometers driven. For diesel and petrol vehicles, the figure is 90 vehicles for the same distance.
3. "There are not enough public charging stations for electric cars."
The inadequate charging infrastructure is another frequently cited argument against electric cars. Many people are afraid of not finding a public charging stationwhen they need to charge the car on the road.
But on the one hand, you can charge electric cars yourself at your own household socket. And on the other hand, there are also filling stations More and more charging stationsso that charging (and traveling) will become even easier. Only around 2 percent of the entire car market will be electric cars in 2023 - and the trend is rising sharply.₃ As market penetration increases, the network of charging stations will also grow.
Tip: To always have an overview and quickly find the nearest working charging station, apps such as EnBW Mobility+ or elvah help further.
4. "Electric cars are far too expensive and not affordable for the average consumer."
Critics of the electric car primarily cite its high purchase price as an argument for continuing to drive a diesel and petrol car. And the prices are indeed somewhat higher in comparison.
However, this is mainly due to the higher production costs for the batteries and will change for the better in the future (as demand increases). In addition, even today Subsidy premiums, tax benefits, which generally lower operating costs as well as the Less maintenance required of electric cars will quickly offset some of these additional costs.
Tip: You don't have to buy an electric car to be able to drive it. You can borrow one from car-sharing services, for example, and try out the more environmentally friendly alternative to petrol or diesel.
5. "E-cars produce more CO2 than internal combustion engines."
One of many electric car preconceptions is that manufacturing due to the batteries and necessary raw materials more harmful to the climate than conventional cars.
But fortunately, unlike petrol or diesel cars, electric cars emit absolutely no climate-damaging CO2 in everyday use over the years. However, if energy from renewable sources is not used in production, this naturally promotes climate change. climate change - but this also applies to combustion engines.
Researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology have discovered that Electric cars already save 50 to 80 percent CO2 in comparison.₄ Technical developments will undoubtedly make them even more climate-friendly in the future. This is no longer possible with combustion engines.
6. "Electric cars are boring and not particularly beautiful."
A popular prejudice against electric cars is that they are not nice and due to the lack of engine noise are also too boring.
But aesthetics are of course a matter of habit and, above all Matter of taste. Even among combustion engines, there are certainly one or two cars that are considered "not particularly attractive" in terms of design. In addition, the number of e-models is constantly growing - and with it the choice of attractive alternatives.
The quiet sound of electric cars is often a thorn in the side of men in particular at first. But even that is Matter of habit. Once you have enjoyed the many Advantages of electric cars can quickly overlook the missing "hum" of the combustion engines.
7. "E-car batteries are short-lived and cannot be recycled."
A common misconception surrounding the e-car is also that the batteries are would only last a few years and would then be electronic waste. Just like a cell phone battery, the battery of an electric vehicle also loses capacity over time. The most important factor is how often and how much they are charged.
However, most manufacturers are already giving a Battery warranty of eight years and 160,000 kilometers. The technology is also constantly evolving, so even better performance can be expected in the future. The batteries are by no means e-waste afterwards, as they are recycled as part of Second Life Concepts can be reused as secondary storage applications.
8. "The high number of electric cars will cause the power grid to collapse."
Another typical cliché about e-mobility is that the electricity grid by charging 42 million electric cars at the same time. would be overloaded and collapse.
But on the one hand the Power grid always further expanded and more stable - not least due to the promotion renewable energies. On the other hand charges an average e-vehicle for only about 5 hours per week. It would be a gigantic coincidence if all e-cars were charged at the same time.₅
9. "Electric cars have higher tire wear than conventional cars."
Opponents of electric cars fear that the high torque of electric cars in combination with the often high weightleads to enormous tire wear.
Thereby prevent the electronic traction control and the Uniform development of the torque exponential climbs and spinning wheels.₆
10. "There are far too few raw materials for electric cars."
An often-heard prejudice against electric cars is that Lithium, cobalt, graphite, platinum, nickel and rare earths are only insufficiently available and bottlenecks will therefore inevitably arise.
However, experts have already given the all-clear. On the one hand, because there are sufficient global raw materials for the worldwide growth of electromobility - and on the other, because Manufacturers are driven to minimize the use of raw materials for cost reasons alone.₇
11. "E-cars require cobalt, which is extracted with the help of child labor."
One argument often cited in discussions about e-mobility is that it child labor in the mining of cobalt for lithium-ion batteries is coming. Even though cobalt is of course also used in combustion engines, smartphones and other everyday devices, the batteries in electric cars are actually the biggest driver of demand for the controversial raw material.
However, vehicle manufacturers are also aware of this problem - and are working on ways to solve it in the near future. with recycled raw materials and thus manage without cobalt.₈
Tip: What each of us can do against child laboryou can find out in the linked blog post.
12. "E-cars are too quiet and are overlooked."
Another prejudice against electric cars is that they are difficult for pedestrians to hear and are therefore a great danger. This is because electric cars actually generate a lot of noise. only the rolling of the tires from a speed of about 30 km/h an audible noise.
Since 2021, newly registered electric vehicles must therefore have a so-called Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS) have. This is an audible signal tone at low speeds that warns passers-by.
13. "The introduction of electric cars will lead to a loss of jobs."
Many people fear that the switch to electric cars could lead to a huge loss of jobs in the automotive industry. But of course, the switch to electromobility will also create new jobs - for example in the field of battery production and renewable energies.
The German Federal Association for Electromobility estimates that around 50,000 jobs would be lost globally if there were no more classic combustion engines. However, it is also estimated that around 250,000 new jobs in an automotive industry that is then fit for the future.₉
14. "The technical development of electromobility is not yet fully developed."
As electromobility is still in its infancy, many people fear that the development of e-cars is proceeding too quickly and hastily. Yet the Scottish inventor Robert Anderson already about between 1832 and 1839 the first electric vehicle.
So the idea is not new. As petrol and diesel vehicles are still clearly in the majority, it is just a little unusual. E-cars are already suitable for everyday use today - but naturally still have a way to go, partly due to the constantly growing market. enormous, technical development potentialwhile combustion engines are already at the end of their development.
Frequently asked questions about electric cars
Are electric cars more environmentally friendly than gasoline or diesel cars?
Yes, electric cars are generally much more environmentally friendly in operation than gasoline or diesel cars. They produce no exhaust fumes. In addition, the electricity is increasingly coming from renewable energies. In comparison, electric cars already save 50 to 80 percent CO2 today.
Do electric cars cost too much?
Electric cars are somewhat more expensive than gasoline or diesel cars, but prices are continuously decreasing. In addition, operating costs are generally lower than for conventional cars.
Are there enough charging stations for electric cars?
There are more and more public charging stations, but not yet enoughto ensure nationwide coverage. However, electric cars can also loaded at home or at work which reduces dependence on public charging stations. In addition, the network of public charging stations is constantly being expanded due to increasing demand.
The future of mobility is electric
Electric cars have so many advantages over combustion engines. Some examples? They are quiet and don't smell, they allow you to "fill up" at home and are cheap to use, they run on renewable energy and have a positive impact on the environment. air pollution against. What's more, drivers don't have to worry about driving bans or suddenly escalating fuel prices.
It is therefore important to dispel misconceptions and clichés and make way for the rapid development of e-vehicles.
"We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them."
Albert Einstein
In this article, I have listed and debunked many of the typical electric car prejudices. Most of them are already outdated and no longer applicable today. Do you have any questions, suggestions or other reservations about electric cars that you would like to share? Then simply write me a comment.
Stay sustainable,
PS: How the Stop air pollution otherwise I will be happy to explain in the next article.
References:
₁ Statista GmbH (2020): Average range of electric vehicles in Germany from 2017 to 2025, available at https://de.statista.com/statistik/daten/studie/443614/umfrage/prognose-zur-reichweite-von-elektroautos. [24.04.2023].
₂ S. Hajek: Fact check - Do e-cars really burn more often than diesel and petrol cars? (as at: 14.06.2019), available at https://www.wiwo.de/unternehmen/auto/brandgefahr-spontane-selbstentzuendung-nur-ein-mythos/24457024-3.html. [24.04.2023].
₃ Statista GmbH (2023): Share of electric cars in the stock of passenger cars in Germany from 2013 to 2023, available at https://de.statista.com/statistik/daten/studie/784986/umfrage/marktanteil-von-elektrofahrzeugen-in-deutschland. [24.04.2023].
₄ A. Hoekstra, M. Steinbuch; Eindhoven University of Technology (2020): Comparison of lifetime greenhouse gas emissions of electric cars with emissions from vehicles with gasoline or diesel engines, available at https://www.gruene-bundestag.de/fileadmin/media/gruenebundestag_de/themen_az/mobilitaet/pdf/200831-Studie_EAuto_versus_Verbrenner_CO2.pdf. [24.04.2023].
₅ Erdgas Südwest GmbH: 12 myths about electromobility and why they are mostly wrong (06.05.2021), available at https://www.erdgas-suedwest.de/natuerlichzukunft/12-mythen-elektromobilitaet-falsch. [24.04.2023].
₆ J. Kratschmar: No, e-cars are not tire-eaters (as of 25.07.2022), available at https://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/tech-zukunft/elektroauto-reifenverschleiss-wahrheit. [24.04.2023].
₇ Öko-Institut e.V. (2017): Strategies for the sustainable supply of raw materials for electromobility, available at https://www.agora-verkehrswende.de/fileadmin/Projekte/2017/Nachhaltige_Rohstoffversorgung_Elektromobilitaet/Agora_Verkehrswende_Synthesenpapier_WEB.pdf. [24.04.2023].
₈ T. Seibt: 97 percent recycling planned (26.02.2019), available at https://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/news/vw-salzgitter-pilotanlage-batterie-racycling-elektroauto. [24.04.2023].
₉ MAXX SOLAR & ENERGIE GmbH & Co. KG: Prejudices against electric cars, available at https://maxx-solar.de/elektroauto-blog/vorurteile-gegen-elektroautos. [24.04.2023].
