Myths about the electric vehicle that should be busted

Considering switching to an electric vehicle and sometimes you hear various "scary facts" like "the electric vehicle is expensive" or "I'll probably need to stay close to a charging station"? We're here to go over some of the more common myths about the electric vehicle and help you make the right decisions in transitioning to an electric vehicle.

"The electric vehicle is expensive"
Not true! When you want to buy an electric vehicle, you'll find that its price is not more expensive than a combustion engine vehicle. It depends on which vehicle you want to buy. Additionally, the ongoing costs of the electric vehicle are lower. Here are some examples where you'll find that buying an electric vehicle is not expensive at all, and even cheaper than a combustion engine vehicle:

• Fuel cost savings: The cost of electricity in Israel is significantly cheaper than the cost of fuel. For example: the cost of fueling a gasoline car ranges between 65 to 88 agorot per kilometer, while the cost of charging an electric vehicle using home charging ranges between 8 to 13 agorot per kilometer. This means that for every kilometer driven in an electric vehicle, you can save between 68% to 81% of the fuel cost.
• Maintenance cost savings: An electric vehicle has very few moving parts and does not require traditional vehicle maintenance such as oil changes or fuel filter replacements. Brake pads can last twice as long compared to a non-electric vehicle due to the use of regenerative braking. Therefore, the average maintenance cost of an electric vehicle provides an annual saving of about 25%.
• License fee savings: The annual fee for any electric vehicle is uniform and currently stands at 567 shekels, compared to a variable cost of thousands of shekels for a non-electric vehicle. This is an annual saving of hundreds or even thousands of shekels per year.

"The electric vehicle is not safe"
Not true! The main myth stems mainly from the misconception that the electric vehicle "catches fire" more than a combustion engine vehicle. Every vehicle has a potential for ignition, and it depends on the situation. There is no evidence anywhere that the electric vehicle "catches fire" more than any other vehicle. In the event of an accident, the electric current of the battery in the electric vehicle is automatically turned off.

Regarding safety, it is important to note that the electric vehicle is at the forefront of technology, equipped with the most advanced safety systems, and is subject to regulatory bodies like any other vehicle. In crash tests conducted on vehicles, it was found that the electric vehicle is just as safe to drive as any other vehicle, and in some cases even safer.

"The driving range of the electric vehicle is shorter than a combustion engine vehicle"
Not true! The electric vehicle now has a driving range equal to that of a combustion engine vehicle. It depends on the size of the battery and can be compared to the fuel tank. Currently, there are electric vehicles capable of traveling a distance of 400 kilometers or more between charges. The advantage of the electric vehicle is that it can be charged at home using a charging station, but you cannot "fuel" the vehicle at home...

"The battery won't last over the years"
Not true! Over the years, technological advancements have improved both the battery's lifespan and driving range. Most electric vehicle importers offer a warranty for the vehicle's battery for up to 8 years or alternatively up to 160,000 kilometers (whichever comes first) from the date of purchase. The warranty provided varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, so it is recommended to check according to the purchased vehicle. Some manufacturers offer different battery warranty extension programs.

It is important to note that with any battery use, there is wear and tear, and it can be estimated that after driving 150,000 to 200,000 kilometers, the battery capacity will drop to 80-90%, so the battery will last for many years and allow for a shorter driving range.

"The electric vehicle emits more dangerous radiation than other vehicles"
Not true! The electric vehicle is manufactured according to strict standards and meets all required standards. All high-voltage parts and cables are fully protected, so radiation emission is similar to that of any other vehicle.

"You need to stay near the electric vehicle while charging"
Not true! There is no need to be near the vehicle while charging. In most cases, charging the electric vehicle is done overnight or during the workday, so there is no concern about leaving the vehicle unattended while charging. Additionally, the electric vehicle locks during charging, so it cannot be disconnected without knowledge.

"The household electricity bill will skyrocket due to charging the electric vehicle"
Not true! The cost of charging the electric vehicle is about 80% lower compared to the cost of fueling a combustion engine vehicle. The household electricity bill may increase, but for illustration, the cost of driving a family electric vehicle is about 10 agorot per kilometer. Considering that the average Israeli driver travels about 15,000 kilometers per year, this amounts to an annual cost of only 1,500 shekels, or 125 shekels per month.

"When charging the electric vehicle in the rain, you can get electrocuted"
Not true! When connecting the electric vehicle to the charging station, there are many safety measures designed to prevent electrocution. The electric vehicle's electrical system is completely isolated and safe. The charging socket is also protected by a residual current device (RCD), so there is no risk of electrocution when charging the vehicle in the rain.

"There aren't enough garages that can service electric vehicles"
Not true! Every electric vehicle importer has a wide range of garages nationwide that provide full service to the electric vehicle they import to Israel.

"You can't drive the electric vehicle to Eilat"
Not true! Thousands of charging stations are spread across the country. According to the travel route, you can find the available stations on the way to Eilat using the charging company's app or through shared apps.