There is still plenty of debate surrounding electric vehicles (EVs). Some drivers worry about range and public charging availability, while others question whether zero-emission motoring is as green or affordable as advertised. With over two million electric cars now registered on UK roads and BEVs taking more than a quarter of new car sales, the shift towards electric is well underway.
As the government reviews the roadmap toward ending new petrol and diesel sales, it is important to separate fact from fiction so you can decide if an EV suits your driving needs.
1: Are Electric Vehicles New Technology?
A common question is when the first electric car was made and why it feels like a modern invention. Electric vehicles have actually been around for over 138 years.
They were not an overnight invention. Inventors worldwide contributed to early designs, including Thomas Parker, the British engineer who electrified the London Underground and created an early production electric vehicle using custom rechargeable batteries.
In the late 19th century, electric cars were popular alternatives to early petrol vehicles because they did not require hand-cranking or produce smelly exhaust fumes. Although production dropped when cheap petrol cars took over, EV technology is far from new. You can read more about early automotive history in our article on from steam to EVs: the very first cars built by famous brands.
2: Low Capacity of Charge Points in the UK
While public charging was once a major hurdle, the UK network has grown significantly. According to Zapmap data, the UK network surpassed 120,000 public EV charge points across more than 46,000 charging locations.
However, availability is only part of the story. Public charging speeds and reliability vary between operators, and charging on the public network is generally more expensive per kWh than charging at home on an off-peak EV electricity tariff.
Home charge point installation typically costs between £500 and £2,500. Government support remains available through the EV Chargepoint Grant, which offers up to £500 per socket (covering up to 50% of the cost) for eligible flat owners, renters, and households without driveways. For drivers with off-street parking, home charging offers convenience and low running costs. Drivers relying solely on public chargers need to account for higher pay-as-you-go rates.
3: EVs are Not Viable for City Driving
Some drivers worry that electric cars are impractical in urban environments due to frequent stopping and start-stop traffic.
In practice, stop-and-start urban traffic is where electric powertrains excel. EVs use regenerative braking systems that convert kinetic energy back into battery power whenever you slow down. This process reduces wear on mechanical brake pads and recaptures energy that would otherwise be wasted as heat.
Urban drivers should still consider charging access. If you live in a terrace or apartment without a driveway, relying on local on-street chargers or destination charging hubs requires a bit more planning.
4: Electric Cars are Too Quiet
It is true that electric motors are virtually silent compared to internal combustion engines. To address safety concerns for pedestrians and visually impaired road users, regulations require all new EVs to feature an Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System (AVAS).
AVAS provides an external artificial warning sound at low speeds and when reversing. Inside the cabin, drivers enjoy a quiet and refined drive, but from the outside, the vehicle remains easy to detect.
5: Expensive Road Tax
Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) rules for electric cars changed significantly. Zero-emission cars are no longer exempt from road tax.
- First-year rate: Newly registered zero-emission cars pay £10 for their first year.
- Standard annual rate: From year two onwards, EV owners pay the standard rate of £200 per year (which also applies to EVs registered between April 2017 and March 2025).
- Expensive Car Supplement: The threshold for the expensive car supplement on zero-emission vehicles is £50,000. EVs with a list price exceeding £50,000 incur an extra £440 annual fee from years two to six.
For a full breakdown of tax bands, read our detailed guide on what is eVED? The new electric vehicle tax explained.
6: Charge Time is Too Long
Charging speed has improved dramatically, but performance depends heavily on the specific car model, battery temperature, charger output, and state of charge.
Real-world performance from specific modern models highlights these differences under optimal conditions:
- Hyundai Ioniq 5 (84kWh battery): Can charge from 10% to 80% in approximately 18 minutes when connected to an ultra-rapid 350kW DC charger.
- Vauxhall Corsa Electric (50kWh battery): Typically takes around 30 minutes to charge from 10% to 80% using a standard 100kW rapid charger.
Cold weather can reduce battery efficiency and slow down charging speeds, meaning winter journeys may require slightly longer charge stops.
7: Electric Cars are Worse for the Environment
While EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions on the road, manufacturing an electric car—specifically refining minerals and producing high-voltage batteries—creates a higher initial carbon footprint than building a petrol car.
Lifecycle studies generally find that EVs can offset their higher manufacturing emissions after several years of driving, with the exact point depending on factors such as battery production, vehicle efficiency, and the local electricity mix. Because the UK energy grid continues to transition toward renewable sources like wind and solar, driving an EV becomes cleaner every year.
It is worth noting that EVs still generate non-exhaust emissions, such as particulate matter from tyre and road wear, which manufacturers are working to address through specialised compound tyres and vehicle efficiency improvements.
8: With No Gears, EVs Must Be Slow
Because electric motors deliver instant torque from 0 rpm without needing a complex multi-speed gearbox, EVs offer smooth, immediate acceleration.
Almost all mass-market electric vehicles use a single-speed transmission, making them straightforward to drive. Response at junction pull-outs and overtaking speeds is effortless without waiting for a transmission to downshift.
9: They are FAR Too Expensive
Upfront purchase prices for new EVs can still be higher than equivalent petrol models. However, price parity is getting closer thanks to lower production costs and government incentives like the Electric Car Grant.
Launched to support zero-emission adoption, this grant offers up to £3,750 off eligible new zero-emission models priced under £37,000 and is intended to run until 31 March 2030 (or until funding is exhausted).
When evaluating cost, look at Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) rather than just the showroom sticker price:
- Fuel savings: Home charging on a competitive off-peak EV tariff is generally much cheaper per mile than petrol, though public rapid charging can narrow or eliminate this cost advantage.
- Maintenance: EVs have fewer moving parts, eliminating oil changes and spark plug replacements.
- Depreciation & Public Charging: Varying depreciation rates between models mean overall savings depend on how and where you charge and how long you keep the vehicle.
10: The Electricity Grid Cannot Handle the Increase in Electric Cars
The UK electricity system is being continuously upgraded to accommodate rising EV demand. Smart charging, flexible tariffs, and overnight charging help shift demand away from peak periods, reducing pressure on local distribution networks.
Smart charging technology and dynamic tariffs incentivise drivers to plug in when national demand is low and renewable generation (like wind power) is high, helping balance the energy grid smoothly as adoption increases.
The Verdict: Electric Cars Are Ready for Today
Electric vehicles offer lower running costs, quiet operation, and zero tailpipe emissions. If you have access to off-street parking and can install a home charger, switching to an EV often results in significant financial and practical benefits.
However, if you regularly tow heavy loads, drive long daily distances without structured breaks, or rely entirely on public street parking in areas with limited charging infrastructure, a hybrid or efficient petrol vehicle may still be the more practical choice for now.
Exploring your options? Visit Stoneacre to browse our latest new and used vehicle deals or speak with our team to find the right car for your lifestyle.
