Scared to switch from a gas car to an EV? Expert explains five reasons why you are wrong
- Price concerns and 'range anxiety' are putting Americans off buying EVs
- READ MORE: Automakers are ignoring the four things shoppers want from EVs
There are many reasons why Americans may be anxious about switching from a traditional gas car to an electric vehicle.
They might be concerned about the price of the EV or how expensive it is to run - or they may envision the car running out of battery without a charging point nearby.
But how many of these fears are justified?
EV uptake in the US is slowing, with many Americans opting for a hybrid car rather than going fully electric.
But according to expert Nathan Wyeth, there are many myths around electric cars which need to be debunked.
There are many reasons why Americans may be anxious about switching from a traditional gas car to an electric vehicle - but how many are justified?
Myth: You have to install a home charging station
According to Wyeth, the US co-lead for EVs at Octopus Energy, there are only two things you need in order to own an electric car.
The first is having a space, a garage or a driveway where you can park near an outlet overnight, and the second is having a source of electricity at your home.
'If you're driving a regular commute, you should be able to do all your driving with just plugging in to a regular outlet,' he told DailyMail.com.
'It is a misconception that it is absolutely required to pay to have a charger installed in your house.'
Octopus is a Texas-based energy supplier, so Wyeth uses the example of an 'average Houstonian' driving to and from work across the city as a benchmark for a regular commute.
'You can equally think about the average New Yorker, or the average Seattlite, or the typical person living in Miami,' he said.
It is only those who may be driving longer distances who might want to consider installing a charging station in their home, which typically costs around $1,500, he added.
Myth: Electric cars are unreliable
The American Automobile Association reported last year that on a percentage basis, EVs actually have fewer calls for roadside assistance than gas cars, said Wyeth.
One of the main reasons is that gas cars have around 2,000 moving parts, whereas electric cars only have about 20 parts in the powertrain system.
'There's just fewer things to break,' he said. 'You can expect electric motors to have a really long, reliable lifetime.'
Myth: EVs are much more expensive to buy than gas cars
'More and more models are being introduced that are gradually bringing down the price point for a new EV so it is actually getting quite close to the average cost of a new car in the US,' said Wyeth.
Nathan Wyeth, the US co-lead for EVs at Octopus Energy, said there are many myths around electric cars which need to be debunked
But it is when it comes to used cars that drivers are able to find the best deals when switching to an EV.
New data released this month found secondhand electric cars are now cheaper than their gas counterparts for the first time - and the gap is widening quickly.
A study from comparison site iSeeCars found the cost of an average used EV dropped $265 below a typical gas car in February.
This marked the beginning of the trend - and the price gap has grown to $2,657 as of latest data from May.
'More and more Americans are looking at pre-owned cars to find the right price,' said Wyeth.
'There have been enough models in the market for long enough that you have great electric cars with more than 250 miles of range available for under $30,000 or even under $20,000.'
Americans can also see dramatic savings on gas if they make the switch. You may go from paying $100 a month for gas to around $25 a month for electricity, said Wyeth.
'I think it's underappreciated that electricity is also just more stable as a commodity,' he added.
The price gap between used EVs and gas cars is growing
Myth: Electric car batteries deteriorate quickly
Electric car batteries are lasting much longer than the manufacturers' warranty, Wyeth pointed out, which is typically eight years and 100,000 miles.
Even if you look back five or 10 years, batteries are lasting more like 200,000 miles.
'Especially when it comes to a pre-owned EV, people may think it's a risky proposition. But I think you have both good warranties, and also a growing track record that these cars are reliable.
'They last long and you might actually find that they surprise you with the quality of the driving after a long time.'
Paul Hartweck, from Houston, has saved $400 on gas in five months with his electric car
Electric car batteries are lasting much longer than the manufacturers' warranty, Wyeth said
Myth: Now is not the time to get an electric car
Some people question whether now is a good time to switch to an electric car as current models will become outdated quickly, Wyeth said.
'We actually think that we're at a point now where the cars that are available today are at a threshold where they are going to have value for a long time.'
If you have a car with 250 miles of range and you are driving in the city, you are totally set, he said. You can drive for days and days without needing to charge.
But if you are going on a longer drive you may need to find charging stations - and there is no doubt lots of work to do on the charging infrastructure in the US.
Fears around a lack of stations is one of the main issues for prospective EV owners - especially in more rural or remote areas.
'The analogy I use is cell phones,' said Wyeth. 'If you think about 20 years ago, maybe they worked in the city but once you got outside the city it was harder to find reception.
'The phones actually got more useful as the mobile service expanded. And I think similarly, a car with 250 miles of range might become more useful in the next couple of years as more and more charging stations are built.
'This is a technology that can work great for a lot of Americans today, and more Americans in the future.'
