Common misconceptions about electric cars

When it comes to electric vehicles (EVs), the truth can get lost in the noise. Old myths hang around, headlines get repeated without context, and the pace of progress often flies under the radar.

That’s why we brought together three leading voices in the EV world for a no-nonsense discussion on the most common EV myths and what drivers really need to know in 2025. On the panel: Alvin Castillo, Octopus EV’s Vehicle Procurement Director; Dan Caesar, CEO of Electric Vehicles UK; and veteran motoring journalist Quentin Willson.

This was just one of the inspiring talks that took place at our latest Octopus EV Leadership Event, an exclusive gathering for business leaders at the forefront of driving change and innovation, featuring top guest speakers and Octopus Energy leaders – and an exclusive look at EVs that haven’t launched in the UK yet.

One of the biggest assumptions about EVs is that they always cost more to buy and run than petrol and diesel cars. But that’s not true.

Salary sacrifice is changing the game. It’s helping more people than ever access EVs at a lower monthly cost, with tax savings, servicing, insurance, and maintenance all included. For many drivers, this makes EVs much cheaper than petrol or diesel cars.

This wave of new models is also fuelling the used EV market. With salary sacrifice available on nearly-new cars too, drivers can unlock even greater savings without compromising on spec or warranty.

“That does two important things,” explained Alvin. “First, it builds confidence that EVs can be reused and recycled, just like petrol or diesel cars. And second, it opens up access to more affordable models that might have been out of reach when brand new.”

In fact, used EVs are now, on average, £2,781 cheaper than petrol or diesel cars. Over four years, drivers who can charge at home could save over £5,800 on running costs, especially with a smart tariff like Intelligent Octopus Go.

What’s more, as more manufacturers enter the UK market, the range of models and price points continues to grow. That means more flexibility, whether you’re looking for an everyday runaround or something with longer range and high spec.

“I drove a BMW i3 yesterday through the centre of London in 34 degrees – it’s a brilliant little car,” recalled Quentin Willson. “And you can buy those for seven grand. The idea that EVs are more expensive has evaporated now.”

One of the most common myths we hear is that the UK’s charging network isn’t ready. The reality is, the infrastructure is already here. What’s missing is visibility and understanding.

There are over 80,000 public charge points in the UK, and that number is growing fast. Octopus Electroverse has more than a million chargers across Europe, all accessible through one app and one card.

Part of the challenge is shifting people’s mindset. Drivers new to EVs often think they need to "top up" like they would with a petrol car. But most people in the UK drive fewer than 20 miles a day. That means you can go days – even weeks – between charges.

“You could easily have an EV that you charge once a week,” confirmed Quentin. “I’m hearing people say they only charge once every three weeks.”

As the tech continues to improve, charging will become even less of a concern. But in the meantime, we’re doing more to make public charging smarter and more accessible. Through Octopus Electroverse, we’ve introduced plunge pricing on public chargers, meaning cheaper (and sometimes even free) rates when there’s lots of green energy on the grid. Drivers get a notification and can top up at the best possible time, all with one tap.

Charging is no longer about queuing for a pump. It’s about charging where you’re already going – at the gym, the supermarket, the office – and doing it at a time that works for you. Once people experience that, the old petrol station mindset fades fast.

Tesla played a huge role in bringing electric cars into the mainstream, and it’s still a key player. But the EV market in the UK has evolved, and drivers now have far more choice.

We offer a huge range of EVs through salary sacrifice, giving drivers plenty of choice, whether they’re eyeing up a classic Tesla or exploring something new. That matters, because people are starting to ask: Who else is out there? And what makes them stand out?

Chinese EV brands, in particular, are making a big impression. One of the frontrunners is BYD, now one of the world’s largest EV makers – and they’re moving fast in the UK. “Drivers are much more open to looking beyond the usual brands,” enthused Alvin. “The conversation has shifted from what’s here to what’s coming – and what tech is coming, too.”

Octopus Energy recently joined forces with BYD to launch Britain’s first vehicle-to-grid (V2G) charging bundle. V2G transforms EVs into “batteries on wheels”, which means they can charge when electricity is cheap and send it back to the grid at peak times, when electricity is expensive.

Priced at under £300 a month, the Power Pack Bundle will include a leased V2G-ready BYD Dolphin, a bi-directional Zaptec Pro charger and access to a smart tariff that offers completely free home charging. That’ll save EV drivers £620 a year compared to charging on a standard tariff – and nearly £1000 compared to fuelling a petrol car.

“We’ve been talking about V2G for years,” said Alvin. “Everyone wanted to do it, but no one wanted to go first. BYD were the one who actually made it happen.”

Every EV comes with an official range figure, known as WLTP – short for Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure. It’s meant to give drivers a realistic idea of how far an EV can go on a full charge.

But WLTP is still a lab-based test. It doesn’t always reflect what you’ll get in the real world. Like the miles per gallon (MPG) figures on petrol and diesel cars, it’s useful for comparison, but not something to rely on.

That’s why we help our salary sacrifice customers focus on how the car will actually perform day to day, answering questions like:

• What kind of range will you get in winter?
• How much does motorway driving affect it?
• What happens when you’ve got the heating or air con on?

“Our EV experts have real-world knowledge about cars, and can therefore give customers unbiased opinions that will help them choose,” explained Alvin.

We also run test drive days and pop-up events, bringing EVs to workplaces across the UK, so drivers can experience how different models perform in the real world.

Let’s clear this up once and for all: EVs are not more likely to catch fire. In fact, they’re up to 20 times less likely to do so than petrol or diesel vehicles.

That’s because most modern EVs now use lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery chemistry, which is far more stable than older lithium-ion setups. And with solid-state and sodium-ion technologies on the horizon, EV safety is only getting stronger.

“It’s absolute clickbait,” laughs Dan. “It’s a comfortable lie for people who don’t want to change.”

Watch the full video of their chat on our YouTube.

We’ve just broken down the biggest myths around electric cars and explained that switching to an EV isn’t just better for the planet; it’s better for your wallet, too.

Through our EV salary sacrifice scheme, you could save up to 40% on the cost of a brand-new electric car. That’s because the payments come straight out of your gross pay, which reduces your income tax and national insurance payments.

It’s a smarter, cleaner, and more affordable way to drive – and we’re here to help you find the right car to match your needs.