6 common misconceptions about electric cars

Although more and more users have made the switch, electromobility is still the subject of numerous debates.

In this article, we separate fact from fiction.

1. Electric cars still have a very limited range

Not at all accurate. According to some preconceived ideas, you won’t get very far with an electric car. Of course, you won’t be able to travel 800 kilometers on a single charge. However, the range of these vehicles has evolved considerably in recent years. Most electric cars have a range of more than 300 kilometers (with some models capable of travelling more than 500 kilometers on a full charge). Since few motorists travel more than 100 kilometers per day, this range covers most daily usage.

2. Electric cars emit more CO₂ overall

False. Provided that it is charged using green electricity (as is the case through your Enovos contract), journeys made using an electric car won’t emit any CO₂. However, if we want to assess the carbon footprint linked to these vehicles, we must take into consideration the emissions over their entire life cycle, from their manufacturing to their recycling. Emissions linked to the extraction of the raw materials needed to manufacture batteries are often singled out, but what about overall?

Producing an electric car does emit more greenhouse gases than producing a car with an internal combustion engine, however, these excess emissions are largely offset by the reductions in emissions linked to vehicle use. If we consider the entire life cycle of a vehicle, beyond the first 40,000 kilometers travelled, an electric vehicle emits less CO₂ than an internal combustion vehicle. Over its lifespan, a vehicle will travel an average of 200,000 kilometers. In other words, the carbon footprint of an electric vehicle is much lower than that of an internal combustion engine.

3. An electric car costs more…

False. Is opting for an electric car economically more advantageous than choosing a car with an internal combustion engine? To answer this question, we must consider all of the costs inherent in using a car, in other words, the initial investment, necessary costs to fuel the vehicle as well as maintenance costs. Purchasing an electric vehicle currently remains more expensive than purchasing a thermal car, despite generous state aid which helps plug this gap.

If we consider this from a consumption point of view, however, travelling in an electric car costs significantly less, especially if you have the option of charging at home. In fact, it is estimated that recharging costs are half as high as using fossil fuels. Prices for public charging stations are a little higher than those for charging at home, however, even in this case, driving an electric vehicle costs less than driving a petrol or diesel car.

Lastly, we must not forget that an electric vehicle requires significantly less technical maintenance than a car with an internal combustion engine, another point in favour of electromobility.

4. It’s still difficult to find somewhere to charge your car

Incorrect. Before opting for an electric vehicle, it’s important to ensure that you’ll be able to charge it. Ideally, you’d be able to install a terminal at home, taking advantage of public aid in place to support this process. For technical reasons, however, not everyone has the option of recharging their vehicle at home. Therefore, in recent years, public authorities have invested considerably in the development of a network of charging stations accessible to all. Employers also allow their employees to recharge their vehicles at their workplace. Private stakeholders have followed suit, particularly by allowing individuals to access terminals installed in car parks.

Luxembourg has the second densest network of charging stations in Europe. Between 700 and 800 Chargy terminals are operational in the Grand Duchy, i.e. 1,400 to 1,600 charging points accessible to the public. The enodrive application allows you to easily find a charging station in Luxembourg or Europe.

5. Charging times are very long

Yes and no. Obviously, you can’t recharge the battery of your electric vehicle as quickly as you can fill up the fuel tank of your thermal car. On a terminal installed at home or on a public Chargy or Chargy OK terminal, fully recharging a battery can take several hours (between 4 and 6 hours). Fast charging stations, like SuperChargy, allow you to top up your batteries in just a few minutes.

However, this comparison is not justified. Making the switch to an electric vehicle means forming new habits. Since most vehicles remain parked for long periods of time (at home overnight, at the office during working hours), the idea is to charge them when not in use. This means that when it’s time to leave, you’ll have optimal battery life and no longer need to make a detour to the petrol station.

6. Batteries don’t hold up well in winter

It’s true that battery life may indeed be reduced due to winter weather conditions or the use of heating in the passenger compartment. Between November and March, users will need to charge their batteries more regularly. In the latest generation of electric cars, the thermal management and resistance of batteries have been considerably improved. Preheating your passenger compartment before leaving, while the vehicle is plugged in, is a good way to preserve battery life and avoid overuse during the journey.