EVs do not have the battery range to travel as far as people need.
Reality: EVs have sufficient range to cover a typical household’s daily travel which is approximately 80km per day. On a fully charged battery most EVs can go beyond 320km.
Building an EV generates more greenhouse gas emissions.
Reality: Multiple studies have found that EVs are the most efficient use of energy throughout the value chain as the process of manufacturing an EV is highly automated and efficient compared to classic ICE production.
The battery will need replacing after 5 years.
Reality: EVs come with at least 8 years warranty. EV batteries are extremely reliable, with current records showing they can easily do over 150,000 - 200,000km with no maintenance in this period. Furthermore, because EV batteries maintain a relatively high usability after the warranty period, the recycling or re-usability of these batteries is extremely high.
EVs cannot be driven or charged in the rain.
Reality: This is untrue. As EVs being electrical are more susceptible to water ingress, they have been designed such that all electrical components are completely waterproof. Some EVs can even float and wade through deep waters because of their water tightness. Driving and charging in the rain is not a problem.
It takes too long to charge an EV
Reality: The average time it takes to charge an EV depends on the size of the battery and the speed of the charging point. 45 minutes to 2 hours on public DC charging, and 3-4 hours on public AC charging. EVs can be charged in more convenient locations such as malls, business parks, hotels and at home, which means charging can be done whilst you are busy with other activities, mitigating the need to travel to a specific location to fill up.
Introduction of EVs in South Africa will collapse the already constrained power grid.
Reality: EVs will add a massive demand on the national grid. There are opportunities to support greener energy sources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As part of its crisis plan in instances where the Medupi power plant has not performed to capacity, Eskom has procured renewable energy from private entities to effectively reduce the impact on the transmission network.
The grid will not be able to cope if everyone switches to EVs.
Reality: Qualitative data has been used to establish whether South Africa’s current energy supplier will be able to generate sufficient electricity to support an EV market reliably. The study therefore concludes that The State-Owned Entity is expected to have sufficient energy-generating capacity to support a projected EV market over the next 20 years. The involvement and scale thereof of private sector investments in renewable energy plants can and will add sufficient power for this extra demand over years to come.
Batteries cannot be recycled and will all end up in landfill.
Reality: Existing regulations ban the disposal of EV batteries and incineration. Car manufacturers are obligated to take back EV batteries free of charge and ensure they are treated at permitted facilities that meet the required recycling efficiency standards. Recycling infrastructure for EV batteries is still developing as sustainable battery recycling solutions are underway. It is predicted that there will come a point where all the required minerals will have been extracted and that these materials will simply be continuously recycled, eventually mitigating the need for new minerals to be mined. Thus, generating a true circular economy.
EVs break down more than normal cars.
Reality: There are no suggestions that electric cars break down more frequently than their combustion engine alternatives because they have fewer moving parts and require less maintenance. Fewer fluids and their brake systems generally last longer due to regenerative braking. Lower risk of break down due to fewer components.
EVs are not greener because of emissions from electricity generation.
Reality: Studies show that EVs have a carbon footprint that is significantly lower than traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, even when factoring in the emissions from electricity generation. Due to grid decarbonisation, efficiency and Charging strategies.
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