The popularity of electric vehicles has soared in recent years. With infrastructure improving and EV technology constantly improving, life for those looking to make the switch is easier than ever. Here at Prestige Cars Kent, we’ve got an excellent variety of high-quality pre-owned electric vehicles so if you want to make the jump to plug-in power, you’ve got loads of options.
But there’s still plenty of misinformation swirling around the world of electric vehicles so in this article, we’re going to be busting 7 misconceptions about EVs.
They don’t offer much range
While the very earliest electric vehicles couldn’t offer all that much range between trips to the plug, things have moved on impressively. Take this Kia EV6, for example; its super-slippery bodywork allows it to carve through the air efficiently and because of its large 77kWh battery, it can manage up to 263 miles between plug-ins.
But here at Prestige Cars Kent we’ve got electric vehicles of all types that can deliver the range you need.
They’re only small and aren’t spacious
The very earliest EVs were compact and couldn’t really offer all that much space. As technology has improved, so electric vehicles have been allowed to expand and now, they’re just as roomy and practical as many combustion-engined cars.
Here at Prestige Cars Kent we’ve got many electric vehicles which provide ample levels of space, like this roomy Audi Q8 e-tron. It’s got space for five to sit comfortably and its large boot is great at swallowing up shopping or suitcases.
They’re not that fast
Electric cars are now some of the speediest around, putting to bed that ‘milk float’ analogies used by many sceptics during the early days of battery-powered vehicles. It’s all down to the instant torque that EVs provide - press the throttle and, without any lag, you’ll be flying towards the horizon.
This Porsche Taycan 4S, for instance, will go from 0-60mph in just 4.8 seconds, meaning it more than lives up to the badge on the bonnet.
They wear through brakes more quickly
Electric vehicles still require maintenance, just like any other car. You’ll need to keep on top of aspects such as brakes, but while they do need changing, it’s not as often as some may have stated. Because electric vehicles use ‘regenerative braking’ to slow down - essentially spinning the electric motors in reverse to create drag - they don’t use their conventional brakes as much, meaning that pads and discs won’t wear out as quickly as on a ‘normal’ car.
This means that you shouldn’t have to swap out an EV’s braking components nearly as often as a standard petrol or diesel alternative.
They take ages to charge
Electric vehicle charging speeds have taken a massive jump in the last few years. It’s all down to the maximum rated charge speed, which is worth remembering if you’re in the market for an EV. Essentially, it’s the top rate of energy that an EV can accept. For example, if an electric car has a maximum charge rating of 150kW, that’s the most it’ll ever accept. Plug it into a 350kW charger and the quickest speed you’ll be able to charge at is 150kW - the car’s top rating.
But you’ll find many electric vehicles that offer a high rate of charging speed here at Prestige Cars Kent. This Hyundai Ioniq 5, for instance, can charge at speeds of up to 350kW, meaning that you could do a 10 to 80 per cent charge in just 18 minutes when you’re connected to a high-speed charger.
They’re expensive to run
While public charging prices do vary, many aspects of the electric vehicle ownership experience bring lower costs than you’d get with a petrol or diesel car. As we’ve touched on, servicing costs are greatly reduced - you’ll need to spend a lot less on routine maintenance.
When it comes to charging, taking advantage of low-cost home electricity prices accessed via EV-specific tariffs can unlock some super-low costs. It’ll cost around £10 to fully charge most average-sized EVs this way.
They can’t drive through any water
One of the oldest misconceptions about electric cars is that they can’t drive through water and can’t be used in the rain. However, this is one of the largest myths surrounding EVs and is one that you don’t need to worry about in the slightest as they can drive through puddles, rain and car washes.
An electric vehicle’s battery is completely sealed and protected from outside elements, so you don’t need to be concerned about driving through a puddle or taking your EV into the car wash.
Here at Prestige Cars Kent, we’ve got some of the very best pre-owned electric vehicles available, so check out our current stock today. If you’ve still got any questions surrounding these battery-powered vehicles, then get in touch with the team and they’ll be happy to help.