EV myths and misinformation still slowing the switch
Misinformation and knowledge “blind spots” are still preventing non-EV owners from switching to electric, according to new research.
A YouGov poll carried out on behalf of the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) think tank found worrying levels of misconceptions around EV safety, costs and environmental impact continue to cloud drivers’ opinions.
The survey of more than 1,000 non-EV-owning drivers presented them with true or false statements about EVs and found that 51% scored two or fewer correct out of 10. Just 5% managed to identify the correct answers in eight or more out of 10 questions.
It also found that those who scored poorly in the test (two or fewer correct) were 17 times more likely to choose an combustion-engined vehicle over an EV when buying their next car. Meanwhile, the most well-informed (eight or more correct) were three times more likely to choose an EV over any other powertrain.
Among the most common misconceptions were that EVs are more likely to catch fire than a petrol or diesel car. Despite this being disproved, 46% of those surveyed thought it was true. That is actually more than believed it when the ECIU last carried out its survey in 2024.
More drivers also wrongly believed that the lifetime emissions of an EV were the same as a petrol car’s – up from 35% to 40%, despite data showing otherwise. BMW recently confirmed that its all-electric iX3 will reach emissions parity with a petrol X3 in just two years, after which the ICE car’s lifetime emissions will outstrip those of the EV.
The ECIU’s head transport, Colin Walker, said the findings showed that EV myths and misinformation were still holding drivers back from switching.
He commented: “It is no surprise that sales of EVs in the UK continue to rise, since poll after poll finds that EV drivers love their cars and wouldn’t go back to petrol. But a constant stream of misinformation is skewing non-EV drivers’ knowledge of EVs.
“With two-thirds not knowing that EVs are cheaper to own and run than petrol cars, it’s clear that many are holding back from making the shift to EVs, leaving families across the UK stuck driving petrol and diesel cars that cost hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds more to run right in the midst of a cost of living squeeze.”
Perran Moon MP, chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on EVs, added: “Electric vehicles are cleaner, safer, and cheaper to own and run over the lifetime of the vehicle than petrol or diesel cars. But what this polling shows us is that many drivers of non-EVs are still misinformed about some of the most basic facts about electric vehicles.
“The more misinformed you are, the less like you are to make the switch to an EV. Two years ago, the House of Lords environment committee warned that misinformation was a major barrier to the EV transition. Now, we need to see robust action from the government, industry, and media to dispel the myths of misinformation and to ensure that drivers are equipped with the facts when deciding on their next purchase.”
