Thinking About an EV? Common Myths Explained for UK Drivers

Electric car myths are common, but most do not stand up to real-world use. Modern EVs are designed for everyday driving in all weather, and many of the fears around safety, charging and practicality are based on outdated assumptions.

Common EV myths explained

Myth: EVs cannot drive in the rain or through puddles.

That is false. EVs are built to operate safely in wet weather, and normal rain or spray from the road is part of everyday use. As with any car, the real risk is deep floodwater, which can damage components and make driving unsafe, so caution is still needed in severe flooding.

Myth: EVs are unsafe and catch fire easily.

This is also misleading. EVs do carry a fire risk like all vehicles, but available UK safety advice says fires are rare and EVs are less likely to catch fire than petrol or diesel cars. When EV battery fires do occur, they can be harder for firefighters to deal with, but that is different from saying they happen more often.

Research indicates that there is 0.0012% chance of an EV catching fire vs 0.1% chance of a petrol or diesel.

Myth: There are not enough chargers in the UK.

Public charging is far more developed than many people think. UK motoring and charging sources report tens of thousands of public charge points, with the network continuing to grow. For many drivers, home charging is the main solution anyway, with public chargers used mainly for longer trips.

As of 2026, there are roughly 116,000 public EV chargers compared to about 60,800 petrol pumps, meaning EV chargers outnumber petrol pumps.

Myth: EVs do not have enough range.

Most modern EVs offer enough range for typical UK driving, and many owners charge less often than they expect. Range still matters for long journeys, but daily commuting, shopping and school runs usually use far less than a full battery. What matters more is choosing a car whose real-world range fits your routine.
Modern electric vehicles typically offer ranges of 200–300+ miles on a single charge, easily covering the average daily commute.

Myth: Batteries wear out quickly and need replacing often.

That is not how most EVs are used in practice. Batteries degrade gradually over time, but they are designed to last many years and are usually covered by long manufacturer warranties. Good charging habits and regular servicing help preserve battery health.

Studies show that after 10 years, many EV batteries still retain 70% to 80% or more of their original capacity.

Myth: EVs are expensive to own in every way.

Upfront prices can still be slightly higher for some models, but running costs are often lower because electricity is usually cheaper than petrol or diesel and servicing is simpler.
Studies show that EV maintenance costs are around 6.1 pence per mile compared to 10.1 pence for petrol vehicles.

What is actually worth worrying about?

A better question than “Are EVs safe?” is “Will an EV suit my driving and charging needs?”. That depends on if you have home charging, your driving style, how often you do motorway journeys and if you are comfortable planning occasional charging stops. In other words, most concerns are about practicality, not the basic safety of the vehicle itself.

Everyday reality

For many UK drivers, an EV is quieter, smoother and easier to live with than a petrol or diesel car. The biggest adjustment is learning how range, charging speed and weather affect real-world use. Once people understand that, the myths tend to fade and the car often feels more normal than expected.