There are a number of reasons that people are afraid to make the switch from their current internal combustion engine vehicles to a fully electric vehicle. Some concerns are valid but most of them are based on misconceptions about EVs. The points below should help address some of these concerns but the best way to learn about an EV is to get out and test drive one. You won’t regret it.

Range

Some people are concerned that an EV will run out of battery while they are driving. The average American’s commute to work is around 32 miles round-trip (1). In the US last year the average EV had a range of 125 miles, plenty of distance for even the highest mileage commuters (2). Not to mention that it is projected that the average US EV will have a range of 275 miles by the year 2022. For the occasional road trip, there are a growing number of chargers nationwide and vehicles with the ability to charge at a faster rate.

Charging

Charging speed and convenience have always been big concerns of EV non-owners. With the proper charger inside your garage, you can leave your home every morning with a full “tank”. Just plug in each night when you return and you will be all set after a night of re-energizing. There has also been a rapid increase in the number of employers installing charging stations at their offices that will allow you to charge your vehicle while you work. Outside of home and work, there are over 20,000 charging stations across the U.S. and millions of more installations planned over the coming years (3) (4).

Cost

Many people are concerned that an EV is too costly. While the upfront cost may seem daunting at first, it is important to note that many times with factors like government incentives and reduced operational and maintenance costs, EVs end up being cheaper in the long run.  As materials get better and cheaper the overall purchase price is dropping significantly. An EVs average purchase price is quickly headed towards that of its internal combustion counterpart.

Performance

Performance is another concern that non-EV owners have. However, due to instant maximum torque at low RPMs, EVs are typically able to accelerate just as quickly, if not quicker, than internal combustion vehicles. Plus with the ability to place and control individual motors at each wheel, an EV can perform precise torque vectoring for increased stability, responsiveness and agility (5).

Source:

(1) A Look Under the Hood of a Nation on Wheels

(2) FOTW #1064, January 14, 2019: Median All-Electric Vehicle Range Grew from 73 Miles in Model Year 2011 to 125 Miles in Model Year 2018

(3) Number of public electric vehicle charging stations and charging outlets in the U.S. as of December 2018 (in units)

(4) Strong Growth Expected in EV Charging Stations

(5) Electric torque vectoring: A motor for each wheel or a single-motor-clutch system?