Electric vehicles (EVs) are a hot topic with automotive buyers today, however, some consumers have concerns about making the transition. To help address these concerns, we compiled the top ten consumer questions about electric vehicles and answered them.  

Do EVs have enough range to get drivers where they need to go?

Most electric vehicles on the market today have a range of over 200 miles, with some going even farther. As technology advances, that range will continue to increase. Wondering how that compares to the distance the average person travels? According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, drivers in the United States average approximately 50 miles per day. An overwhelming 85% of households travel less than 100 miles on a typical day. Although some consumers are concerned with the possibility of an EV running out of power during day-to-day activities, the data shows that it is highly unlikely to happen.

Will EV owners be stuck at charging stations for hours?

Understanding how to “fuel” an EV requires consumers to shift from a “drive to fuel” to a “fuel where you park” mindset. For example, in a gas- or diesel-powered vehicle, you must drive to a gas station and spend a few minutes filling the tank. With an electric vehicle, there is no need to go out of your way to find a gas station just to stand at a pump. Instead, you can “fuel” where you park. Since most vehicles are parked 95% of the time – think about how much time you spend at work, relaxing at home or shopping – there is rarely a need to go out of your way to “fill up” an EV.

When traveling longer distances, DC fast charging stations are strategically placed to support lengthy commutes or road trips. These fast chargers are, as the name implies, designed to charge your EV quickly so you can get back on the road.

Interested in learning more? Eaton’s EV Charging infrastructure (EVCI) group developed The smart consumer’s guide to electric vehicle charging to help you:

·        Understand the EV charging process

·        Determine when and where you want to charge your EV

·        And more

Are there enough charging stations to support the growing number of EVs on the road?

The EV charging infrastructure available today is strong enough to meet the current demand, and it continues to grow. According to an S&P Global Mobility forecast, there are 1.63 million public, semi-public or commercial charging stations in the ground, globally, as of 2021. This number is set to grow to 9.17 million charging installations by 2028.

While most EVs are charged at home, workplace charging is becoming more widely available. A growing number of public charging stations can also be found at shopping centers and public parking lots. If your curious about where these stations are located, The U.S. Department of Energy has compiled an Alternative fueling stations locator for the United States and Canada

Is the electric grid ready for an influx of EVs?

The reliability of the electric grid seems to be meeting the demands of today, and the development of smart charging and bidirectional charging will ensure that this trend continues. As technology advances, EVs will continue to become a dynamic part of the electric grid, not just an endpoint that simply consumes energy.

Eaton is working with utility companies and building manufacturers to provide solutions that enable more grid flexibility, including EV charging infrastructure.

Are EVs as affordable as gas or diesel options?

Automakers are responding to the demand for more affordable EV options. There are already several makes and models of EVs that are comparable in price to their gas- or diesel-powered counterparts. First-time EV buyers can also offset some of the cost with state and federal tax credits

According to this study conducted by Consumer Reports, total ownership cost savings can more than make up for a potentially higher purchase price. EV drivers are not held hostage by the price at the pump and don’t need to worry about the cost of regular oil changes or tune ups. Fewer moving parts in an electric vehicle means fewer components that can fail and need to be replaced.

Are EVs really cleaner and greener choices?

Let’s start with the obvious. EVs have no tailpipe emissions, which automatically makes them better for the local environment than gas- or diesel-powered vehicles. Even if your electricity comes from a coal power plant, it still has lower greenhouse gas emissions than a comparable new gas or diesel vehicle.

Want to learn more about the impact of driving an EV in your community? There is an online tool called Beyond the Tailpipe Emissions Calculator developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy that allows you to calculate greenhouse gas emissions associated with charging and driving an EV or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) where you live.

Will EV batteries end up filling the landfill because they have such a short life?

Before we jump into what happens to an EV battery at the end of its life, it’s important to understand its life expectancy. According to Consumer Reports, the average life expectancy of an EV battery is around 200,000 miles. Manufacturers also warranty the batteries for a minimum of 8 years and 100,000 miles.

Even after EV batteries have reached the end of their effectiveness in an electric vehicle, they can have a second life as energy storage for things like solar panels and backup power for homes or businesses.

Finally, when they are no longer useful, the EV batteries can be recycled. There is significant industry investment into the continued improvement of EV battery recycling. Already, some companies are claiming to recover 95% of the valuable material in an EV battery.

Will EVs run out of power and leave drivers stranded in a traffic jam?

Sitting in traffic, you are much more likely to run out of fuel in a gas- or diesel-powered vehicle than you are to run out of battery life in an EV. This is because the electric motor isn’t using any power when the EV is not moving. In this scenario, only the car electronics and heating/cooling systems will draw power from the battery, and this is very minimal.

With the small amount of energy used for heating and cooling, it is no surprise that people often use EVs for camping. They can sleep with the cabin at a comfortable temperature all night and still have plenty of battery left to get home in the morning.

Are EVs safe to drive?

It is important to remember that EVs go through the same crash safety testing as gas- or diesel-powered vehicles. These ratings show that EVs are just as safe, and in some cases safer, than other vehicles on the roadway.

There are several reasons for these high safety ratings. Unlike a gas- or diesel-powered vehicle, there is no engine in the front of an EV. This allows for an optimized crumple zone which results in improved occupant safety. EVs also tend to have a lower center of gravity because the battery is located at the bottom of the car. This reduces the risk of a roll-over.

In addition to the standard safety testing, there is also an additional focus on battery safety in electric vehicles. Although there have been some high-profile EV fires reported in the media, electric vehicles catch on fire at a significantly lower rate than their gas- or diesel-powered counterparts.

To ensure electric vehicles meet the highest possible safety standards, Eaton works closely with our automotive manufacturing partners. This commitment has led to the development of Breaktor® circuit protection technology. In the event of a collision or short circuit, Breaktor quickly and effectively shuts down the battery to protect people and components.

If you are interested in a deeper dive into electrical vehicle safety, take 10 minutes to listen to Electric vehicle system safety – Debunking common myths and exploring new technology.

Does driving an EV mean sacrificing speed and performance?

EVs are very quiet. You don’t hear the revving engine that we all associate with powerful acceleration, so it is easy to assume that they are also very slow. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. Even though you can’t hear it, an electric motor generates 100% of its available torque instantly, making some EVs faster than the latest gasoline or hybrid supercars.

As the market transitions to electric vehicles, Eaton knows that drivers’ performance expectations will remain the same. We offer a full range of limited slip and locking differentials for EVs which offer improved traction in adverse conditions, better stability while towing and maximum off-road performance. Evidence of the powerful performance of EVs can be found in the growing number of EV models available on the market today. These included everything from pickups and performance vehicles to SUVs and family cars.

To learn more about how we’re enabling the future of electrification, please visit Eaton.com/eMobility. You can also listen to Dan Ouwenga, Senior Manager of Power Electronics Technical Strategy for eMobility, and Brandon Fisher, head of engineering for eMobility power distribution and protection, address these top 10 consumer misconceptions in our 10 in 10 podcast.