Despite the surging interest and growth in the electric car market, there is still a large number of petrol and diesel drivers who are put off going electric due to concerns such as safety, range anxiety or even driving in adverse weather. Hyundai aims to put these myths to bed.
Sales of electric cars were up by 151% in October this year and London boasts Europe’s largest fleet of electric buses. As investment continues to pour in from OEMs, a portion of consumers still remain hesitant. Hyundai teamed up with researchers OnePoll to find out how society looks at the electric vehicle, and they discovered some interesting results.
The survey of 2000 petrol and diesel drivers revealed 22% would not feel safe charging an electric car.
Almost one-third (29%) of Londoners polled were worried about driving in lightning, with the same figure having safety concerns about driving in the rain.
It follows another study undertaken by the car manufacturer which found that 46% of motorists cited range anxiety as one of their major concerns about buying an electric car.
Hyundai has sought to address these concerns with some myth-busting.
- Range anxiety
A typical electric vehicle (EV) covers between 100 and 200 miles on a single charge and even longer on some models with ranges of more than 300 miles.
- Nowhere to charge
There are currently more than 14,500 public charging points in more than 9,000 locations in the UK and the network is growing rapidly.
- An electric vehicle is too expensive
With more and more affordable and competitive options and fewer moving parts to fail or need replacing, EVs are in fact cheaper to run than conventionally fueled vehicles.
- Electric vehicles are too sluggish
Instant torque delivery means EVs can accelerate just as quickly and if not much quicker than their petrol or diesel counterparts.
- You can’t take an electric vehicle through the car wash or drive in a lightning storm
Of course, we’ve all been told that you don’t mix electricity with water, but when it comes to EVs it’s perfectly safe to use a car wash and there’s no extra risk of driving in a lightning storm.
- Not enough choice in the market
The electric car market is expanding rapidly. In fact, Hyundai currently has the largest e-mobility fleet in the world including the latest in electric, hybrid and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
- Electric vehicle batteries are adding to the landfill crisis
EV batteries can be recycled just like the batteries in petrol or diesel cars. EV power cells can be used to store solar and wind energy, or they can be broken down with their more-valuable elements reused.
- Safety
EVs undergo the same rigorous testing and meet the same safety standards required for petrol or diesel fuelled cars.
- No breakdown cover
The majority of breakdown suppliers now provide services for all EVs as well as conventional vehicles.
- Performance
For those who don’t think an electric vehicle will fuel your petrol head needs, as soon as drivers push down on the accelerator, the transition from stationary to speed is almost instantaneous.
