Myths of Electromobility: A fact check

2022-02-01

Electromobility has clearly arrived in our everyday lives and will play an increasingly important role in the future. However, there are still some myths surrounding the topic. We have checked the facts and come to a clear conclusion: E-mobility is impressive!

Myth 1: The range of electric cars is too short

Not true!

Electric cars have a range of up to 300 miles, depending on battery power, load, driving style and vehicle model. Most mid-range electric cars cover between 150 and 250 miles. At first glance, this is less than with a car with an internal combustion engine, but studies by various ministries in Europe show that, on average, each driver covers 28.5 miles per day.

This shows that the electric car is clearly suitable for everyday use and can easily keep up with combustion engines for most distances. But even longer journeys are no problem with a short intermediate charge - Our e-mobility expert Michael demonstrates how easy it is with his e-car.

Myth 2: Charging e-cars takes a long time and is tedious

Myth.

On average, the car is only used for about one hour a day. This means that e-cars can be charged the rest of the time - a full 23 hours a day. Not only are public charging stations now well developed for this purpose, but many employers also offer charging options.

Fast-charging stations are becoming increasingly common. With these, selected compatible electric cars can be charged for 60 miles range in just 5 minutes. For example, the battery can easily be charged at different intervals during the day while running small errands without wasting time. Another plus here is that charging gradually protects the battery and thus ensures a longer service life.

Having your own PV system with battery makes charging even easier: During the day, solar energy can be refueled in real time at the wallbox, and at night via the electricity storage system. This not only saves electricity costs, but also increases the self-consumption of the PV system, which pays off twice and is easy on the wallet.

Myth 3: Electric cars are more expensive

Not necessarily!

Subsidies from Governments and car manufacturers vary by country and can amount to several thousand pounds as well as ever decreasing base prices make it possible that e-cars can even be cheaper to buy than combustion engines. Current example: The VW ID.3 is currently cheaper than the VW Golf Diesel VIII 2.0 TDI with the German subsidy. But even electric cars with higher purchase costs pay for themselves after just a few years. Low maintenance and operating costs provide compensation.

If you also own your own PV system, you can really save money with an electric car: If you charge your e-car with your own solar energy, the operating costs can be reduced to up to 1/3 compared to a combustion engine. Instead of expensive refuelling at the fuel pump, you can simply and easily fill up with solar energy. The combination of e-car and PV system is therefore doubly worthwhile: refuelling your own electricity for free and additionally increasing the self-consumption of the PV system - thus saving twice!

Myth 4: E-cars pollute the environment

On the contrary!

E-vehicles are clear winners when it comes to saving greenhouse gas emissions: According to a recent study by the German Fraunhofer Institute, they emit a full 15 to 30 percent fewer emissions over their entire lifetime compared to similar conventional cars. Although the production of electric car batteries results in higher CO² emissions, this is compensated for by emission-free driving. In addition, the environmental balance of the e-car is improving all the time as a result of the advancing energy transition. If you use electricity from renewable sources, such as your own PV system, to charge your e-vehicle, this increases the eco-balance even further.

The myth that electric cars are a burden on power grids is also not true: Charging e-cars at night actually stabilizes the power grid, creating a balance between energy demand during the day and at night.

Myth 5: E-car batteries are disposable and cannot be recycled

False!

Batteries consist of valuable resources that can be recycled. After the batteries have passed their first stage of life cycle, the so-called "First Life" as an electric car battery, they continue to be used in stationary applications in a "Second Life". Reconditioning is worthwhile because the batteries have a residual capacity of 60 to 80%.

At the end of this second life, a large proportion of the batteries are recycled and resources such as aluminium, copper or lithium are recovered again. These are mainly used again in the production of new batteries. Electric car batteries are therefore the pioneers in terms of recycling.

E-MOBILITY FOR THE HOME

You want to charge your e-car at home with solar power?

E-MOBILITY FOR ME

Myth 6: Electric cars are more unsafe

Not true!

E-cars undergo the same Euro NCAP crash tests as vehicles with combustion engines and are tested for safety. If an accident occurs, the flow of electricity to all electrical components is immediately disconnected.

The statement that charging electric cars in the rain is risky is also a myth. Since the current does not flow until full contact has been established, charging in wet conditions is harmless, provided that the battery and charging station comply with the standard. It therefore makes sense to always consult a specialist when installing a wallbox.

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