Mythbusters

Manufacturers have already built-in safety features and precautions to ensure you cannot overcharge your electric vehicle.

Currently there are 28,952 public charging devices across the UK (Source: zap-map.com 21/01/2022), 5,213 of which are rapid or ultra-rapid chargers.  There are also many supermarkets with public charging installed and with additional options such as peer to peer charging (enabling you to utilise other EV drivers’ home or business charging points) there are plenty of options to charge during your journey.  The key is to plan your route and utilise those regular breaks to ‘top up’.

The grid will be fine, we will have sufficient energy to meet demands. Smart charging will continue to increase the efficiency of our power use – smart ev chargers allow the charger to communicate with your car, the grid and the charging infrastructure to identify best times to charge so when you plug your car in, the charger can assess how much energy you need, how much is available therefore what time to start charging. Plus, the continued growth and investment in renewable energy will help support this. Vehicle to grid technology (V2G) also enables electric vehicle batteries to store energy and feed it back into the grid (electricity network) when its most needed. i.e. during peak times

Electric charge points have undergone rigorous safety tests. Charge points are weatherproof, many with extra waterproof shields and plug covers added to make sure no water can sneak in. The cables are also layered with protection to prevent them getting wet. Plus, no current will flow between the charge point and car until the two have communicated with one another and confirmed it is safe to do so

We may have been taught from an early age that electricity and water do not mix, however when it comes to electric vehicles, they are quite safe take through a car wash. All electric cars undergo rigorous testing, including a soak test to ensure they are fully waterproof. We would highly recommend however, that you don’t forget to close the windows!!

Admittedly electric vehicles are renowned for being virtually silent, which has raised questions about the potential risk to pedestrians not being able to hear them.  Which is why from 1^st July 2019, it was a made a requirement that all manufacturers install an acoustic sound system in new types of quiet electric and hybrid electric vehicles to improve road safety, this is called the electric vehicle alerting system (AVAS).  All electric vehicles will now have these systems fitted that produce a sound with they are reversing or driving below 20 KM per hour (approx. 12mph). 

Another common misconception.  Currently it’s predicted the battery on an electric vehicle will last at least 10 years, maybe even up to 20 years before it needs replacing.  Many manufacturers offer lengthy warranties, most EV’s on the market have an 8–10-year warranty, to prove their confidence in the longevity of the batteries.   New batteries lifespans are constantly improving as technology develops