- Myth: Every electric car drives the same way
- Myth: All EVs are ugly
- Myth: Electric cars are too expensive
- Myth: There aren’t many places to charge an electric car
- EVs aren’t so bad after all
It’s taken the better part of a decade for Americans to warm up to buying an electric vehicle (EV). We can’t blame anyone, considering with new technology comes newfound apprehension. After all, there are still people out there using flip cell phones, but we digress.
The folks at Kelley Blue Book understand the buying woes when it comes to electric vehicles, so they decided to dispel a few myths associated with them. Read below to find out more.
Myth: Every electric car drives the same way
A man drives a 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS. | Carsten Koall/picture alliance via Getty Images
If you were to drive three different electric cars, chances are that you would notice some similarities between them. You noticed the smooth operation of the electric drivetrain, the instantaneous torque, and the quietness that comes with EVs. However, not all EVs are created equal.
For example, Kelley Blue Book notes that the Mercedes-Benz EQS “feels every bit like a Mercedes-Benz” in that it feels “big and solid” and offers “the best of today’s ride, handling, technology, and interior textures.” We agree. The Mercedes-Benz feels like a proper luxury sedan despite its all-electric drivetrain and it definitely feels different than a Nissan Leaf or Chevy Bolt.
Myth: All EVs are ugly
Rivian R1T electric pickup truck | Rivian
Although many electric cars used to look like oversized golf carts, that’s no longer true today. Tesla kicked off the trend of stylish electric vehicles by showing the world that EVs can look sexy, although a lot of its cars look fairly similar now.
But if you want a unique style, then you can always shop around for an Audi e-Tron GT, a Hyundai Ioniq 5, or a Rivian R1T. If you have loads of money to spare, then the Porsche Taycan could be on your shopping list as well.
Myth: Electric cars are too expensive
2022 Nissan Leaf | Nissan
No, you can’t buy a new EV for under $20,000 yet, but you can surely find one on the used market. There are plenty of first-generation Nissan Leaf, Smart ForTwo EV, and Chey Spark EV examples selling for far less than $20,000 nationwide. Just don’t expect the best range from any of them.
When it comes to new EVs, the 2022 Nissan Leaf starts at $27,400 and the Chevrolet Bolt starts at around $31,000, which means they are the most affordable on the market. While it’s definitely true that some EVs like the Audi e-Tron and the Tesla lineup are very pricey, other examples, like the Volkswagen ID.4 and the Kia EV6 are priced in the mid-range level – at around $40,000. Case in point, there’s an EV for nearly any budget, it just depends on whether you want a new or used one.
Myth: There aren’t many places to charge an electric car
A Toyota Prius charges | Tom Williams, Getty Images
Kelley Blue Book notes that this is “somewhat true.” A study conducted by Cox Automotive found that 80% of electric cars are charged at home and many EV owners charge at their workplace. That being said, data according to Statista shows that there are 113,600 charging stations all throughout the U.S. as of January 2022.
Compare that number to the over 145,000 gas stations nationwide and it’s easy to see that the EV charging infrastructure needs some work. Despite this, there are plenty of charging stations to be found, especially in major cities, so charging your EV shouldn’t be too hard.
EVs aren’t so bad after all
Although many drivers may still be wary of the thought of purchasing an electric vehicle, there won’t be much escaping it in the near future. Many automakers are shifting toward electric and hybrid propulsion and we’re sure the buying public will as well. At least we can all put these myths to rest and sleep tight knowing that owning an electric car isn’t too much different than owning a gas-powered one. You just have to make sure it’s charged, like that old flip phone.
Keyword: Here are a Few Popular Myths About Buying an Electric Vehicle According to KBB