Welcome back to the we.digitize blog! Here, we regularly provide you with information about the latest developments and insights into exciting topics relating to our company and the industry. In this article, we dispel the most common myths surrounding electric mobility.
The most common myths in a nutshell
In this article, we address the most common myths surrounding electric mobility. These are assumptions and prejudices that are often perceived as facts, but in reality are only partially true or not true at all. Many of these misconceptions are based on outdated information or incomplete comparisons and are often used as arguments against electric vehicles.
The aim of this article is to shed light on these misjudgments, substantiate them with current facts, and thus contribute to an objective discussion.
1. “Electric cars have too short a range.”
Modern electric vehicles have a range of 300 to 500 km. In comparison, combustion engines can travel 800 to 1,000 km, but the vast majority of everyday journeys are significantly shorter than the typical range of an electric car. This means that long ranges are hardly a decisive factor for everyday use. Long-distance travel requires more planning, but thanks to the ever-growing charging infrastructure network, this is hardly a problem anymore. In addition, there are already many tests with new battery types that can travel over 1,000 km in the test environment.
This can be seen, for example, in solid-state batteries at Mercedes and VW, which have been conducting such tests since early 2025 and have covered over 1,000 km (Article1, Article2).
2. “Charging takes too long and isn't worth it.”
This is by no means the case, because thanks to fast charging technology (DC), it is possible to charge up to 80% of the battery in around 30 minutes (To the article). If this time is planned effectively, it is easily manageable for most users. Vehicles spend most of their time just standing around, e.g., at the office or university. During this time, the vehicle can also be conveniently fully charged at AC charging stations without the user having to do anything different than before.
3. “Electric cars are not environmentally friendly, mainly because of the battery.”
This is contradicted by both recycling approaches and sustainable production processes. Batteries in particular are increasingly being recycled and produced in a more environmentally friendly manner. According to P3, a Tesla Model Y only achieves climate neutrality after around 95,000–120,000 km with today's EU electricity mix, but after just 50,000 km or less with 100% renewable energies. BMW's upcoming iX3 achieves this point after just 17,500–21,500 km, depending on the charging mix (To the article). According to Fraunhofer ISI, electric cars consume up to 50% less greenhouse gases than comparable combustion engines (To the article).
4. “There are too few charging stations.”
The charging network is already well established and continues to grow, especially along the highways. Public charging points are currently available in around 57% of municipalities, where approximately 95% of the population lives (To the article). In addition, most charging takes place at home or at work.
5. “The power grid is collapsing due to too many electric cars.”
This concern is unfounded, as grid operators use load management and smart charging solutions to prevent overloads. Studies show that the electricity consumption load of electric cars is significantly lower than that required for the production of gasoline:
“The idea that electric cars overload the power grid is simply wrong. The production of gasoline consumes much more electricity than directly charging electric vehicles.” – Juice Technology AG / BEM e.V.
6. “Electric cars are too expensive to buy.”
Although higher acquisition costs are possible, you benefit from low operating costs in the long term. The savings are mainly due to cheaper energy, i.e., electricity instead of fuel. However, this only applies if you can charge using your own electricity tariff or at work. If you charge while traveling using roaming, it often costs €0.50+ per kWh. With a consumption of 20kWh per 100km, it is no cheaper than a combustion engine. However, lower maintenance costs and tax advantages make electric cars more economically attractive in the overall balance.
7. “Electric cars are too boring to drive.”
Above all, immediate torque makes starting significantly faster. Added to this is a quieter driving experience and ever-new tech features. What's more, many electric cars are faster than sports cars. Overall, these aspects make for a more pleasant driving experience. Of course, the choice of driving experience always remains a personal decision that depends on individual preferences.
8. “The batteries in electric cars only last a few years.”
Studies by Geotab, p3, and TÜV Nord show that electric car batteries still have significant residual capacity even after 10 years. With proper care, they can last over 20 years, with an average degradation rate of about 1.8% per year (Geotab). Manufacturers such as VW and Hyundai often offer corresponding warranties covering 8 years.
9. “Charging is too complicated.”
Modern charging systems work via apps, RFID cards, or contactless payment. Charging stations display available spaces, charging capacities, and prices in real time. Some systems allow automatic planning or reservation of charging processes.
Since most drivers charge their vehicles at home or at work, the difference to conventional refueling is often minimal in everyday life. In the future, charging will become even easier with Plug & Charge: plug in, charge, pay all automatically, without an app or RFID card.
If you would like to delve deeper into the legal background, please take a look at the previous blog post “EU Regulations.” Among other things, it contains a detailed explanation of the AFIR law.
10. “Electric cars are not suitable for rural life.”
With local charging at home or on the farm, there is no need to travel long distances to the nearest gas station. In addition, as already mentioned, the battery lasts much longer than one might think, and the infrastructure is also being consistently expanded in rural areas. It is particularly cost-effective if one has photovoltaics on one's own roof. This is often easier to implement in rural areas than in cities.
11. “Electric cars are too quiet, which poses a hazard.”
Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Systems (AVAS) have been required by law since July 2019. All new vehicles must generate artificial driving noises at lower speeds of up to 20 km/h, usually via loudspeakers on the outside of the vehicle. This leads to significantly greater safety.
“The AVAD provides greater safety, especially at low speeds. The noises often resemble combustion engines or futuristic sounds.” – Federal Highway Research Institute
How do myths about electric mobility arise?
Many of the prejudices about electric mobility that are still widespread today stem from its early development phase. At that time, ranges were indeed shorter, charging times longer, and the charging infrastructure patchy. Individual negative experiences, such as defective charging stations and long charging times, received a lot of attention in the media. This effect is reinforced by the fact that negative experiences generally remain in the memory longer than positive ones.
In addition, many people remember the media reports from the early days, when the technology had not yet reached its current level. We also tend to compare new technologies with what we are used to. People who have been driving combustion engines for decades often judge electric cars based on criteria such as range and refueling speed, even though the two concepts cannot be compared on a one-to-one basis.
Economic interests also contribute to the perpetuation of these myths. Companies in the traditional automotive and mineral oil industries have an understandable vested interest in emphasizing the advantages of combustion engines and promoting skepticism toward electric mobility.
Classification of opposing positions
It would be neither constructive nor objective to dismiss all criticism of electric mobility as unfounded. Some concerns are certainly valid, provided they are viewed in the right context.
It is true that the range of an electric vehicle is generally shorter than that of a combustion engine vehicle. For frequent drivers who cover long distances every day, a conventional drive system may still be more practical at present, even though the technological gap is continuously narrowing. It is also true that the charging infrastructure is not yet available across the board in sparsely populated regions. Anyone who does not have the option of charging at home or at work should carefully consider the purchase of an electric car. However, extensive expansion programs are already underway to close these gaps.
The cost aspect is also understandable, as electric cars are often more expensive to purchase. However, when government subsidies, falling battery prices, and lower operating costs are taken into account, the overall picture often looks quite different. Nevertheless, the question of price remains a legitimate point that should be included in any honest assessment.
In his classic book “The Innovator's Dilemma,” author Clayton M. Christensen describes a common misjudgment in dealing with new technologies. Initially, these are more expensive, less efficient, and may appeal to different customers than established products. Nevertheless, they open up new markets and their technology develops rapidly, eventually becoming cheaper, more powerful, and more attractive than existing solutions. A vivid example from the book is hard drives for PCs. Time and again, storage technology has been disrupted by new approaches, and manufacturers of old technologies have missed the boat because they underestimated the potential of new technologies.
There are clear parallels with electric cars. Initially, they were considered expensive, inefficient, and with a limited range, only suitable for certain customer groups. However, with the rapid development of battery technology, these assessments are changing. Ranges of over 1,500 km per charge are becoming possible, vehicles are becoming more efficient and cost-effective, and the potential customer base is expanding significantly.
This differentiated view makes it clear that some myths are based on actual limitations or challenges. At the same time, many of these points are already being resolved or are becoming less relevant as technology advances. As with most issues, it is important to objectively consider both the advantages and disadvantages and make a personal decision based on this assessment. Blanket rejection based on half-truths is just as unhelpful as uncritical enthusiasm without considering the potential costs.
Looking to the future
Electric mobility is only at the beginning of a dynamic development. Significant progress is expected in the coming years, both technically and economically. New battery technologies and more powerful charging systems will further reduce charging times and enable higher charging capacities. At the same time, vehicle prices will fall due to economies of scale, because the more electric cars are produced, the cheaper raw materials, components, and manufacturing processes per vehicle become.
Improvements are also foreseeable in the area of sustainability. Recycling processes, second-life concepts for batteries, and lower-CO₂ production are becoming increasingly established. This progress is complemented by legal frameworks, tax incentives, and expansion targets for the charging infrastructure.
Technological innovations such as bidirectional charging can also play a key role. Electric vehicles would then serve not only as a means of transport, but also as flexible energy storage devices that can feed electricity back into the grid, into their own homes, or into external devices.
A look into the future shows that many of the disadvantages still perceived today will no longer be relevant in just a few years. This will not only make electric mobility more suitable for everyday use, but also make it a central component of climate-friendly and sustainable mobility.
Outlook and conclusion
All in all, it can be said that many of the widespread myths about electric mobility are based on outdated or disproportionate assumptions. Today's reality shows an attractive, reliable, and increasingly sustainable mobility option. With a growing charging infrastructure, smart technical solutions, and economic advantages, electric mobility is becoming more suitable for everyday use than ever before.
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