🎄A practical guide to debunk electric car myths

Picture this : You pull up at Grandma's for the family Christmas dinner in your electric car, proud of your choice. But before you can even set the appetizers, Uncle Mike kicks off a debate about your vehicle. At Electra, we know EVs can spark passionate (and sometimes heated) discussions at family gatherings. This year, we’ve got your back with facts and figures to win the argument. Grab a canapé, take a deep breath, and follow our guide to become the EV expert at the table.

1. "Electric cars are way too expensive!”

☞ Who’s talking ? Uncle Mike, who complains that everything is “too expensive”… except his latest smartphone.

Your response : “Sure, but have you looked at the bigger picture? Purchase price, eco bonuses, maintenance costs, and especially charging? A study by ADEME shows that over 15 years, a compact EV costs €8,000 less than a gas-powered car. Take Tesla, for example. They started with the Model S at around €100,000—very expensive and exclusive. Then they released the Model 3 for under €50,000, cutting the price in half. Now, they’re planning to launch the Model Q at around €30,000. Citroën has even announced the EC3 for 2025, which will cost less than €20,000. There’s plenty to be optimistic about not just the current prices but how fast they’re dropping. Hang tight, Mike! Price parity between gas and electric cars is expected by 2026-2027. Chin up!”

2. “Charging will soon cost more than gas!”

☞ Who’s talking ? Cousin Kevin, who probably saw this in a video shared on Facebook.

Here’s a quick comparison to whip out between the cheese and dessert:

Your response: Driving electric costs half as much as driving on gas. Even if you charge exclusively at Electra, it’s still cheaper than a regular gas fill-up, with average savings of 25% in Europe.

3. “What if I don’t have a way to charge at home?”

☞ Who’s asking ? Grandpa, nostalgic for manual gas pumps and the old-school station experience.

Your response : “Grandpa, no one ever had a gas pump in their garage, and it was never a problem, right?”

Electra Bonus : With our feature to reserve a charging spot 30 minutes in advance, you’ll never wait in line.

4. “There aren’t enough charging stations yet.”

☞ Who’s asking ? Your sister-in-law, who loves to say, “I read it in an article,” without ever sharing the source.

Your response : “Well, by the end of 2024, Europe will have 79,500 public fast-charging points. What's more, all highway rest areas are now equipped. We're a long way from 2021, when things were a little trickier to manage.”

5. “Electric cars don’t have enough range.”

☞ Who’s asking ? Your cousin, who mixes up range with battery capacity.

Your response : “Modern electric cars now offer between 400 and 600 km of range. For example, the Peugeot e-3008, Renault Scenic E-Tech, BMW iX, Tesla Model 3 or Model S, and the Mercedes EQE and EQS all match the range of an average gas-powered car in the B or C segment. And did you know the average car trip is just 40 km a day?

Unless you get hopelessly lost on your way to pick up the yule log, you’ll be just fine!”

6. “I don’t want to waste time charging.”

☞ Who’s talking ? Uncle Mike, conveniently forgetting the time spent waiting in line at gas stations.

Your response : “Fast chargers let you recharge in about 20 minutes on average. That’s just enough time for a coffee, a quick Sudoku on your phone, and you’re good to go. With nearly 79 500 ultra-fast charging points in Europe, you barely have time to scroll through the news on your phone. You won’t lose more than a few extra minutes compared to filling up with gas.”

Bonus : Plus, your hands won’t smell like gas, and you’ll save a few euros in one charge versus a full tank. Isn’t life great?

7. “Electric cars are worse than gas cars because of the environmental impact of batteries. Plus, they’re made in China.”

☞ Who’s talking? Aunt Monique who wants to take part of the debate

Your response : “Did you know high-power chargers can give you up to 80% range in just 20 minutes? Enough time for a coffee and a quick call to your friend Josette before you’re back on the road.

As for the batteries, yes, China is ahead in the industry. But Europe is catching up fast with gigafactories popping up everywhere—Verkor, ACC, Prologium, Northvolt... By the end of the decade, Europe will produce most of its own batteries. Political measures are also encouraging Chinese companies to localize production in Europe—brands like BYD and CATL are already doing so.”

Aunt Monique fires back : “Sure, Europe’s expanding production. But as for charging speed, that’s only if you find a fast charger—which isn’t always easy!”

Your response : “Europe already has more than 16 000 stations and 79 500 ultra fast charging points, and the number keeps growing. Honestly, Auntie, you probably spend more time hunting for a parking spot than you would recharging your car.”

Bonus : Electra has more than 400 stations across Europe and 2200 planned for 2030.

8. “With the rise of electric vehicles, the grid will end up overloaded.”

☞ Who’s talking? Cousin Jean, always bracing for the apocalypse.

Your response : “Jean, 30% of EV owners charge their cars at night during off-peak hours when the grid is least stressed. To get an idea of the order of magnitude, even with 9 million EVs expected for example in France by 2030, their total consumption would only account for 20 to 25 TWh out of the 600 TWh we’re already producing today. Let’s take the example of Belgium too : in 2030, the total EV electricity consumption should be around 5 TWh compared to 85 TWh of electricity production : same conclusion, in other words, peanuts. The trend is the same throughout Europe”

Bonus : You can also explain that smart grids are being developed across Europe to efficiently manage electrical power, especially during peak demands caused by EVs and other equipment. Additionally, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are being deployed to enhance grid stability.

9. “Replacing a battery is way too expensive, and recycling them is a disaster.”

☞ Who’s talking ? Uncle Bernard, always eager to talk “costs” without having the numbers.

Your response : “Thanks to technological advances, today’s batteries last 15 years or more, and their cost continues to drop every year. At the end of their life, they’re 95% recyclable, and their components can be reused in new batteries or energy storage systems.

As for costs, have you checked how much it is to replace a gas engine? It’s likely the same, if not more expensive.”

Bonus : Over its entire lifespan, an EV emits 2 to 3 times less CO2 than an equivalent gas-powered car (Source: ADEME, the French agency for ecological transition).

10. “Electricity is made from coal, so we’re just shifting the pollution problem elsewhere.”

☞ Who’s talking ? Cousin Jean-Marc, who’s unfamiliar with Europe’s energy mix.

Your response: “Moving towards cleaner electricity production is essential to maximize ecological benefits. In Europe, thanks to advances in renewable energies and energy efficiency, the electric car is the least polluting option. In France for example, 91% of electricity is decarbonized, thanks to nuclear power and renewables. Across Europe, energy production is becoming increasingly green, and electric vehicles align perfectly with this trend. And even when the electricity mix still includes carbonated sources, such as petrol, not only the overall emissions are much lower because power plants are much more efficient than ICE to convert oil into mechanical energy or electricity, but also when the electricity mix improves, your vehicle emissions decrease, which will never be the case with a good old petrol-burning ICE vehicle..”

Bonus : This chart speaks for itself 👇

11. “Electric models offer few options and sensations.”

☞ Who’s talking ? Your cousin Paul, a fan of big, rumbling engines.

Your response : “The selection is booming—city cars, SUVs, sedans... there’s something for everyone! And as for sensations, Paul, did you know some EVs accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in under 3 seconds? Goodbye to the fumes in your nose, and hello to adrenaline!”

12. “Extracting rare metals is an ecological disaster.”

☞ Who’s talking ? Uncle Eric, not necessarily eco-conscious, but curious about the topic.

Your response : “Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries are being used more and more—no cobalt, no manganese. Oh, and Eric, between us, rare metals aren’t actually that rare. Your gas car uses them too, and emits a lot of CO2 in the process.”

Bonus : Rare earth elements are a group of 17 elements on the periodic table, including the 15 lanthanides plus scandium and yttrium. Electric cars don’t use rare earths. It’s important to distinguish between rare metals and rare earths, which are actually very abundant.

13. “Most people buy second-hand cars, but for EVs, it’s not quite there yet.”

☞ Who’s talking ? Aunt Monique, before the desert.

Your response : “True, the electric market is still young, but it’s growing fast. The more new EVs there are, the more the used market will develop. That’s already happening. With the 2035 deadline for banning the sale of gas cars, the production of EVs is set to rise. Plus, company fleets are rapidly switching to electric, and those cars will be available on the second-hand market in 2 to 3 years.”

14. “If I buy a second-hand EV, how can I be sure the battery will last?”

☞ Who’s talking ? Your cousin Thomas, looking for a good deal but a bit cautious.

Your response : “Thomas, a recent study shows that most EV batteries last longer than the car itself! (Source: The Driven, 2024). And if you want to be sure, check the battery health data. EVs log this information to ensure total transparency.”

Bonus : Plus, with manufacturer warranties often valid up to 8 years or 160,000 km, the risks are minimal. And between us, you’ll have fewer surprises than with a used gas car, which often comes with a questionable history.

15. “It was better before.”

☞ Who’s talking ? Grandma Jacqueline, nostalgic for the good old days.

Your response : “Grandma, we’re not going to debate for hours. Today, we’re making less noise, polluting less, and saving money. Of course, there’s still a lot of progress to be made in electric mobility. But honestly, don’t you think cities are better when they’re quieter and less polluted?”

Bonus : Don’t waste your energy debating all night. After all, you’re the one saving money and helping the planet by reducing noise and air pollution. So, hats off to you! We’ll give Michel, Kevin, Grandma Jacqueline, and the whole family a big hug and forgive them for not being totally up to date on the topic. But that’s our mantra at Electra: we put an end to debates. Even though challenges remain, the economic and environmental benefits of electric cars are undeniable. Transitioning to electric is a legitimate choice for a more eco-friendly and economical lifestyle. So, here’s to those who support the ecological transition ❤.