EV myths: the 11 that aren’t true anymore
Nov 11, 2026
12 min read
Electric cars have changed A LOT in a few short years, but the worries and headlines about them haven't always kept up. Some EV myths started out as fair criticisms of early models. Others were never true at all. Either way, myths can stick around: a 2025 analysis of EV misinformation in UK national newspapers found a quarter of the articles it looked at contained at least one misleading statement.
Here are 11 EV myths you may have heard your petrol-head uncle share that just don't hold up any more, with the latest UK data on each, so you can make up your own mind.
Why do EV myths stick around?
Many of them come from somewhere real. The first mainstream electric cars had small batteries, there were fewer places to charge than there are now, and prices were higher. Those were fair worries a decade ago. The cars and the charging network have changed since, but first impressions last.
Plenty of people still carry those worries. In YouGov research we commissioned in June 2026, the biggest concerns people had about EVs were range (53%), battery safety and lifespan (45%), finding a charger (44%) and the price of the car (42%). We cover all four below, along with seven more.
Myth 1: "Nobody's buying electric cars any more"
Not true. Electric car sales are still growing. In October 2026, 32.0% of new cars registered in the UK were fully electric, according to the latest electric car registrations from the SMMT. So far this year, 503,805 new electric cars have been registered, up 30.4% on the same point in 2025.
So where does the myth come from? Mostly from headlines about the government's targets for how many electric cars carmakers have to sell. October was a strong month, but across 2026 so far, electric cars make up 26.6% of new registrations, below this year's 33% target. Falling short of a target isn't the same as falling demand, though. More people are choosing electric cars each year, not fewer.
Myth 2: "Electric cars can't go far enough"
For most drivers, they go more than far enough. The average real-world range of the electric cars listed on the EV Database is 244 miles. That's London to Leeds on a single charge, with some left over.
Now compare that with how far you actually drive. The average car in England covered 7,100 miles in 2025, according to the Department for Transport's annual car mileage figures. That's about 19 miles a day.
One tip when you're comparing cars: the official range, known as the WLTP figure, comes from a lab test. It's handy for comparing one car with another. On the road you'll usually get less, especially in cold weather or at motorway speeds, so plan around the real-world figure. Our guide to electric car range goes into more detail.
Myth 3: "There aren't enough chargers"
There are more than you might think, and you'll probably need them less often than you expect. There are around 119,000 public charge points in the UK, across 41,000 locations, according to Electroverse's October 2026 figures.
If you can charge at home, you'll likely do most of your charging there. You plug in overnight and wake up to a full battery, a bit like your phone. In our charging survey 42% of drivers said they never use public chargers at all.
Public chargers come into their own on longer trips, or when a quick top-up at a motorway services or a supermarket gets you on your way. As one MG4 driver put it: "I publicly charge when shopping so I don't notice the extra time for fuelling." If you've never used one, our guide to public charging walks you through it.
Myth 4: "You need a driveway to own an electric car"
A driveway makes charging easier and cheaper, but you can run an electric car without one. A third of the UK's public chargers are on-street chargers, usually on residential roads, according to Department for Transport figures from July 2026. Around half are in car parks and other places you'd stop for a while, so you can top up while you shop or go to the gym.
If you have a personal lease with Octopus EV and don’t have a driveway, No Driveway No Problem gives you 50% off kerbside charging on selected networks (terms apply). For more ideas, see our guide to charging an EV without a driveway.
Myth 5: "EV batteries wear out after a few years"
EV batteries last far longer than most people expect. Battery health is how much of its original capacity a battery still has. Generational's 2025 Battery Performance Index, based on more than 8,000 checks on UK electric and plug-in hybrid cars, found average battery health of 95.15%. Cars that had covered more than 100,000 miles often still had 88% to 95%, and eight to nine-year-old cars kept around 85%.
Most manufacturers back that up with a battery warranty of eight years or 100,000 miles, so if something goes wrong in that time, it's usually fixed at no cost to you. You can read more about how long EV batteries last and what happens if one does need replacing.
Myth 6: "Electric cars catch fire more easily"
They don't. Electric car fires get a lot of attention because they're unusual, but the data shows they happen less often than petrol or diesel fires. Thatcham Research's analysis of UK insurance claims found electric car fires happened at a rate of 1 per 100,000 cars a year. That compares with 3 for hybrids, 7 for petrol cars and 11 for diesel cars. The Department for Transport quoted those 2022 figures to Parliament in March 2026.
That's not to say EV fires never happen, or that they're simple to put out when they do. Battery fires need specialist handling. But you're less likely to face one in an electric car than in a petrol or diesel car.
Myth 7: "Electric cars are too expensive"
The sticker price isn't the whole story. Some new electric cars qualify for the government's Electric Car Grant, a discount of up to £3,750. The seller takes it off the price, so there's nothing for you to claim.
Leasing tells a similar story. In May 2026, the typical (median) monthly price of an electric car lease from Octopus EV was lower than a typical petrol car lease on a leading comparison site. That's based on a four-year lease, with three months paid upfront and 5,000 miles a year.
Running costs are where electric cars really pull ahead, which brings us to the next myth. Our electric car cost guide breaks down the numbers.
Myth 8: "Charging costs as much as filling up"
Not if you charge at home. With Octopus Energy, you can charge at home for as little as 2p per mile, compared with 18p per mile for petrol. That matters to people: in our YouGov research, low running costs were the top reason to consider an EV, picked by 63%.
If you get your car through Octopus EV, you can save an extra 1p per kWh (the unit electricity is sold in) on off-peak home charging with Octopus Energy's Intelligent Octopus Go - EV Saver tariff, which is exclusive to Octopus EV drivers. Home electricity has also had 0% VAT since 1st October 2026, while public charging still pays the standard 20% VAT on electricity.
Partly because of that VAT, public rapid charging costs more than charging at home, so the biggest savings come from plugging in at home overnight. Here's a full breakdown of EV charging costs.
Myth 9: "Electric cars are unreliable and expensive to fix"
In our YouGov research, 36% of people said repair costs would worry them about getting an EV. The evidence points the other way. Electric cars have far fewer moving parts than petrol or diesel cars: there's no gearbox, clutch or exhaust, and no engine oil to change, so there's less to wear out.
A University of Birmingham study of nearly 300 million MOT records, published in Nature Energy in January 2025, found electric cars now last 18.4 years on average, matching petrol and diesel cars. They're also getting more reliable faster. Each new year of electric cars is around 12% less likely to fail than the last, compared with 6.7% for petrol and 1.9% for diesel.
And if you lease with Octopus EV, servicing, maintenance and repairs are included in your monthly payment. See how reliable electric cars are model by model, and what EV servicing involves.
Myth 10: "It's all about Tesla"
Tesla made electric cars mainstream, but it's now one brand among many. There are more than 180 fully electric models on sale in the UK, according to the SMMT, from small city cars to seven-seat family SUVs.
Newer brands such as BYD, OMODA, JAECOO and Leapmotor have arrived with plenty of kit for the money, alongside names you'll already know. So whether you want something small for the school run or a big boot for the dog, there's likely an electric car that fits. You can browse our electric cars to see what's available.
Myth 11: "Electric cars are worse for the environment"
Making an electric car, and especially its battery, does create more emissions than making a petrol car. But it makes up for that quickly once it's on the road. The International Council on Clean Transportation found that, in Europe, electric cars sold in 2025 have about 73% lower lifecycle emissions (from making the car to scrapping it) than petrol cars. The extra emissions from making the battery are paid back after about 17,000km (just over 10,500 miles) of driving, within the first year or two.
Electric cars also have zero tailpipe emissions, which helps air quality in towns and cities. Want the detail? Read our guide to the EV environmental impact.
EV myths and the facts at a glance
| The myth | What the data says |
|---|---|
Nobody's buying electric cars | 32.0% of new cars registered in October 2026 were fully electric |
They can't go far enough | Average real-world range is 244 miles. The average car covers about 19 miles a day |
There aren't enough chargers | Around 119,000 public charge points across 41,000 UK locations |
You need a driveway | A third of public chargers are on-street |
Batteries wear out fast | Average battery health of 95.15% across 8,000+ checks |
EVs catch fire more | 1 fire per 100,000 electric cars a year, against 7 for petrol and 11 for diesel |
EVs are too expensive | Up to £3,750 off with the Electric Car Grant, and a typical EV lease cost less than petrol in May 2026 |
Charging costs as much as petrol | As little as 2p per mile at home with Octopus Energy, against 18p for petrol |
EVs are unreliable | 18.4-year average lifespan, matching petrol and diesel |
It's all about Tesla | More than 180 fully electric models on sale in the UK |
EVs are worse for the environment | About 73% lower lifecycle emissions than petrol cars in Europe |
Sources, checked 7th November 2026: SMMT, EV Database, DfT NTS09, Electroverse, DfT charging statistics, Generational, Thatcham Research, GOV.UK, Octopus EV, per-mile explainer, University of Birmingham, ICCT.
Common questions
What's the most common worry about electric cars?
Range. In YouGov research for Octopus EV in June 2026, 53% of people said range would concern them about getting an EV. In reality, the average real-world range of electric cars on sale is 244 miles, while the average car in England covers about 19 miles a day.
Do electric cars catch fire more than petrol cars?
No. Thatcham Research's analysis of UK insurance claims found electric cars were involved in 1 fire per 100,000 vehicles a year, against 7 for petrol and 11 for diesel cars. EV battery fires can be harder to put out, but they're less likely to happen.
Do electric car batteries need replacing?
Rarely. Generational's 2025 Battery Performance Index found UK electric and plug-in hybrid cars had average battery health of 95.15%, and cars with more than 100,000 miles often kept 88% to 95%. Most batteries also come with a warranty of eight years or 100,000 miles.
Are there enough EV chargers in the UK?
There are around 119,000 public charge points across 41,000 locations in the UK, according to Electroverse's October 2026 figures. If you can charge at home, you'll likely do most of your charging there and use public chargers for longer trips. Without a driveway, on-street chargers can fill the gap.
Is it cheaper to run an electric car than a petrol car?
Usually, especially if you charge at home. With Octopus Energy, you can charge at home for as little as 2p per mile, compared with 18p per mile for petrol. Public rapid charging costs more, and VAT on public charging is 20%, against 0% on home electricity.
YouGov study commissioned by Octopus EV in June 2026, covering attitudes to electric cars from 2,074 GB adult respondents.
