{"id":12720,"date":"2026-08-23T11:05:12","date_gmt":"2026-08-23T10:05:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.stoneacre.co.uk\/blog\/?p=12720"},"modified":"2026-08-26T11:05:53","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T10:05:53","slug":"debunking-the-myths-about-electric-cars","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stoneacre.co.uk\/blog\/debunking-the-myths-about-electric-cars","title":{"rendered":"Debunking the Myths About Electric Cars"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Electric<\/figure>
\n

1: Are Electric Vehicles New Technology?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2: Low Capacity of Charge Points in the UK<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While public charging was once a major hurdle, the UK network has grown significantly<\/sup>. According to Zapmap data, the UK network surpassed 120,000 public EV charge points across more than 46,000 charging locations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Home charge point installation typically costs between \u00a3500 and \u00a32,500. Government support remains available through the EV Chargepoint Grant, which offers up to \u00a3500 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Charging<\/figure>
\n

3: EVs are Not Viable for City Driving<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Some drivers worry that electric cars are impractical in urban environments due to frequent stopping and start-stop traffic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

4: Electric Cars are Too Quiet<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Green<\/figure>
\n

5: Expensive Road Tax<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) rules for electric cars changed significantly. Zero-emission cars are no longer exempt from road tax<\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n