10 arguments against EVs and how to respond

1. EVs are still too expensive.

Switching to an EV still costs a fair amount of money. But when you think about it, the investment is well worth it. It will quickly pay for itself and even pay off!

Although EVs are generally more expensive to buy, this is quickly offset by the price of electricity, which is much lower than that of petrol or diesel.

Therefore, although you spend a great deal of money at the beginning, you’ll spend a lot less over the years. An electric car requires much less maintenance than an internal combustion engine car, so you’ll save an average of 30% a year on servicing.

2. With so few charging points, charging is a conundrum.

The increasing installation of fast charging points and the multiplication of public charging points are gradually improving the situation. In the UK, the EV charging infrastructure is continually growing and evolving to meet the needs of drivers. At the end of March 2024, there were 59,590 charging points across the UK, spread over 32,322 charging locations. (Source: Zap Map)

To simplify access to charging points, Chargemap is thinking of you! With the Chargemap Pass, you can open the doors to more than 515,000 EV charging points, available nearby and throughout Europe. Enjoy an easy, worry-free charging experience on your local networks as well as at the most efficient fast-charging stations.

👉 Our blog is also full of tips to make your charging experience easier, such as the 6 things you absolutely need to know about rapid ev charging.
Are your contacts still sceptical? Show them the Chargemap of all the charging points across Europe! Yes absolutely, the little coloured dots represent so many ways you can charge your car.

3. An EV has no range.

As a reminder, electric vehicles do indeed have a range gauge, just like internal combustion vehicles!

With sales of electric cars on the increase, manufacturers are adapting to the needs of users and technologies are being perfected.

Some recent models now offer ranges of up to 500km on a single charge, which more than covers daily needs.

4. Waiting hours to charge? It’s too restrictive, especially when travelling!

Technological advances have led to the development of rapid and ultra-rapid charging solutions.

For several years now, the UK has been installing a vast amount of rapid (50 to 149 kW) and ultra-rapid (150 kW and more) charging points for EV drivers. And this is also the case elsewhere in Europe!

France has almost 14,500 high-power stations, including 7,000 ultra-high-power stations (over 150kW), which can be charged in less than 20 minutes.
Furthermore, with proper planning and the use of the Chargemap app to locate charging points, journeys can be organised efficiently.

As a result, your EV journeys will be both practical and stress-free! 😊

5. The environmental impact of electric batteries is far from negligible.

The composition of an electric vehicle battery raises concerns. So what about the pollution caused by an electric car?

It’s already worth noting that the carbon footprint of an electric vehicle, including the production of its battery, remains significantly lower than that of an internal combustion engine car, over its entire lifespan.

It’s also important to choose a model that’s as light and efficient as possible, with low fuel consumption that makes good use of the installed battery capacity.

6. Too many EVs could overload our electricity grid!

The rise of EVs raises questions about the ability of the electricity grid to cope with charging.
The transition from internal combustion engine vehicles to greener alternatives takes time, which gives the electricity grid time to adjust to the changes, like coping with a large number of fast chargers.

Energy infrastructures are also constantly developing new solutions to meet electricity demand. (Source: Virta)

7. Replacing a battery is expensive and poses a recycling problem.

The challenges associated with the cost and recycling of batteries are taken very seriously by carmakers.

And yes, electric car batteries are indeed recyclable. Certain techniques can recover up to 95% of the raw materials! (Source: EVbox Blog)

These advances are helping to further reduce the environmental and economic impact of battery replacement.

8. Coal-fired electricity: displacing the pollution problem.

To maximise the environmental benefits of electric vehicles, it is vital to move towards cleaner electricity production.

If we consider the carbon impact of extracting petrol and transporting it, the carbon impact of internal combustion engine cars is higher than currently estimated.

9. There’s little choice and a lack of thrill with electric models!

The current range is rapidly expanding, with a diversity of models adapted to the variety of consumer needs and preferences!

Many brands are now offering high-performance electric vehicles that deliver a pleasant and dynamic driving experience (performance, style, functionality, etc.).

10. The extraction of rare metals is an ecological disaster.

This issue is currently a fundamental challenge for the EV market.

Research and innovation are gaining momentum in the fields of alternative materials and recycling.
This endeavour aims at potentially reducing reliance on rare metals, while minimising the ecological impact of their extraction.

The terms rare metals and rare earths should be clarified. Rare earths were given this name because they were initially difficult to extract. As a matter fact, these metals are fairly abundant and spread across the planet. Today, they play a crucial role in the manufacture of computer hardware and wind power technology.

However, this topic deserves special attention and further exploration. For more information, see these articles:

• Are rare earths an issue in the production of EV batteries?
• Rare earths and EVs — it’s not about batteries

To conclude, yes, some challenges remain as far as the widespread adoption of electric vehicles is concerned. However, the economic and environmental benefits of an EV are undeniable.

With a greener and more economical lifestyle, rest assured that switching to an electric vehicle is the most legitimate choice! 🚙 ⚡️