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A new survey conducted by YouGov has showed that belief in EV myths is holding back adoption, with most petrol car drivers scoring just a 2/10 in a quiz about how electric cars work.

The survey was commissioned by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), an independent nonprofit in the UK.

Conducted by YouGov, it asked 1,000 UK petrol/diesel car drivers ten questions about electric cars, mainly focused on popular pieces of misinformation that has been pushed by the oil industry and other entities that oppose cleaner, better vehicles.

The survey found that this misinformation is alive and well – and particularly alive and well among drivers who haven’t driven an EV.

Out of the petrol drivers surveyed, a majority of them, 57%, were only able to answer 2 out of 10 questions correctly, and 90% got less than half correct. There were a lot of “unsure” answers, so this doesn’t mean they got 8 wrong, but that’s still a pretty high failure rate. 23% of petrol drivers got zero questions right.

While we don’t have access to all the data and questions, here are some of the questions that ECIU highlighted:

  • Nearly two-thirds (62%) of petrol drivers believe it’s more expensive to own and run an EV, with only 14% correctly recognising that EVs are typically cheaper. A report from ECIU found that the drivers of the top 10 selling petrol cars of 2023 can find themselves paying a petrol premium of £700 a year in running costs, compared to an equivalent electric car.
  • 41% of petrol drivers incorrectly think that EVs are more likely to catch fire than petrol cars, with only 24% correct in their understanding that they are less likely to catch fire. Evidence from EV Fire Safe indicated that EVs are more than 80 times less likely to catch fire than petrol or diesel cars.
  • More than half (59%) of petrol drivers thought the UK’s electricity grid “will not be able to cope” with the UK’s shift to EVs, whereas only one in five (20%) correctly identified this statement as false. The National Grid has explicitly labelled this a ‘myth’ and is clear that the power system will be able to cope with millions more EVs in the UK.
  • 80% of petrol drivers think the UK is not on course to install the charging infrastructure it needs, despite the country being ahead of schedule to hit its target of 300,000 chargers on the UK’s roads by 2030.
  • More drivers (35%) incorrectly believed that an EV’s lifetime CO2 emissions are no less than those of a petrol car than correctly identified this statement as false (32%). An EV being driven in the UK produces three times less lifetime CO2 emissions that an equivalent petrol or diesel car.

Though there were a few questions that drivers answered right more than they answered wrong:

  • 37% recognized that more EVs running on British renewable electricity would make the UK more energy independent than relying on increasing imports of oil and petrol. 29% agreed with the incorrect statement that EVs would weaken the UK’s energy independence.
  • 54% correctly disagreed with the statement that EVs are not better for urban air quality than petrol cars. Only 28% believed this statement to be true.
  • More petrol drivers (39%) correctly disagreed with the statement that EVs pose a threat to the structural integrity of the UK’s car parks than incorrectly agreed with it (33%).

More EV knowledge = greater purchase intent

But the point here is not that non-EV drivers are ignorant. It’s to show how these falsehoods are affecting EV uptake, which in turn means worse air quality and worse effects of climate change for everyone on Earth.

Of the drivers who scored the highest – 8/10 or more correct answers – 64.6% of them said they want their next car to be an EV. But of the drivers who scored 2/10 or less, only 6.1% wanted their next car to be an EV. So those with the most accurate information were 11 times more likely to want an EV than those who had fallen victim to misinformation.

This shows that widespread misinformation is affecting people’s purchasing decisions, and keeping them from buying a vehicle that can not only save them money on fuel and maintenance costs, but also save all of society from the health costs of pollution.

Electrek’s Take

While this survey was conducted in the UK, we’ve seen similar surveys before over the years, showing that EV misinformation has quite a significant hold on the populace in various countries.

Unfortunately, the misinformation mentioned here is quite persistent because it is constantly being repeated by powerful entities which don’t want the status quo to change.

Even though it’s clear we need to change how transportation works because of the massive amount of pollution it causes, leading to poor health and climate change, polluting industry would rather things keep going the same way they always have. So members of the richest and most powerful industries in the world, oil and automotive, are perfectly happy to push all sorts of misinformation in order to oppose a change that is coming no matter what they do.

That’s why sites like ourselves exist – to try to demystify electric cars for people who are interested, to counter this misinformation, and to hopefully bring more people into that “high-scoring” category, so that we can all gain the individual and societal benefits that EV ownership can result in.

So if you are one of these petrol car drivers – stick around, read some articles, ask questions in the comments, head to EV-specific forums on the internet, head to EV events like National Drive Electric Week, or just reach out to some EV owning friends of yours and ask them what the experience is like.


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All-new ALLPOWERS R1500 LITE station $405 (49% off), Gotrax F1 2.0 e-bike new $560 low, EcoFlow 35L GLACIER bundle low, more

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All-new ALLPOWERS R1500 LITE station 5 (49% off), Gotrax F1 2.0 e-bike new 0 low, EcoFlow 35L GLACIER bundle low, more

We’ve got a jam-packed Green Deals with plenty of low prices in our post-Prime Day market, with today’s edition led by the preorder launch deal on ALLPOWERS’ new R1500 LITE Portable Power Station at $405. Right behind it is Gotrax’s F1 2.0 20-inch Folding e-bike with five add-on accessories hitting a new $560 low, as well as EcoFlow’s 35L GLACIER Classic Portable Fridge/Freezer with an add-on battery at a new $859 low. We also have returning low prices on several Heybike models during its current weekend flash sale, like the Mars 2.0 Folding e-bike coming with $198 in free gear at $899. We’re also seeing EGO’s 56V 25-inch Cordless Hedge Trimmer Kit back at its $269 low, and have a special one-day-only low price on Birdfy’s Feeder 2 Duo with dual cameras at $330. Plus, there’s all the hangover Prime Day savings in our Prime Day Green Deals hub at the bottom of the page, as well as yesterday’s Tenways e-bike sale, the new low price hitting DJI’s latest Power 2000 station, and more.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

ALLPOWERS launches new R1500 LITE 1,056Wh LiFePO4 power station for preorder at $405

ALLPOWERS has launched its latest backup power solution for preorder with a significant discount through July 25. Until shipping begins, you can pick up the R1500 LITE Portable Power Station for $405 shipped, after an additional 10% savings is automatically added in your cart. This all-new unit will carry a full $799 price tag after these pre-sale savings end, with the brand offering a large 49% markdown right out of the gate, giving you $394 in savings and setting the bar for future discounts. On the same landing page, you’ll also find its many bundle options for varying sizes of accompanying solar panels.

ALLPOWERS’ new R1500 LITE station is the latest compact backup power solution from under the brand’s flag, coming with a 1,056Wh LiFePO4 capacity that is rated for over 3,500 life cycles, which would support you for over nine and a half years were you to discharge and recharge it every day. From its 12 output port options, it delivers up to 1,600W of steady juice to your devices, surging as high as 3,200W for hungrier appliances. Following a trend we’re seeing with each new power station that comes out, this one is designed to operate at “whisper-quiet” 35dB, so as not to disturb your sleep should you have it running at night.

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The ALLPOWERS R1500 LITE station provides the usual remote smart controls you’d expect, giving you the ability to monitor its charging process and adjust settings all from your smartphone via the companion app. To recharge the station’s battery, you have four options. First, a standard wall outlet can have it back to full in 1.5 hours or you could connect up to its 650W max solar input to reach a full battery in 1.6 hours. There’s also the option to plug it into your car’s auxiliary port, as well as the ability to utilize both AC and solar for hybrid fast-charging that only takes a single hour.

Gotrax F1 2.0 Folding e-bike

Gotrax’s F1 2.0 20-inch folding e-bike comes with five add-on accessories at a new $560 low

Amazon is now offering the Gotrax F1 2.0 20-inch Folding e-bike at $559.99 shipped. While it carries a $999 MSRP direct from the brand, we see it occasionally keep to $799 in full at Amazon, with discounts so far this year having kept costs down as low as $625. You’re looking at a $239 markdown off the going rate ($439 off its MSRP), giving you a solid budget-friendly commuting option at the best new price we have tracked to date.

If you want to learn more about this e-bike and this deal, you can check out the full breakdown in our original coverage here.

EcoFlow GLACIER Classic 35L Portable Fridge/Freezer bundle

EcoFlow’s 35L GLACIER Classic portable fridge/freezer comes with an add-on battery at its $859 low

EcoFlow’s official Amazon storefront is undercutting its direct pricing on the GLACIER Classic 35L Portable Fridge/Freezer with an add-on battery for $859 shipped at Amazon, while picking it up direct from the brand’s website would cost you an additional $90. This bundle package with the add-on battery usually goes for $1,098 in full, which we’ve been seeing keep down around $949 recently. Prime Day saw it hit the $859 low for the first time before rising back in price over the weekend, until now. You can pick it up here with a $239 markdown, equipping you with an ice-free option for outings at the best price we have tracked.

If you want to learn more about this electric cooler/freezer, be sure to check out our original coverage here.

Heybike Mars 2.0 folding e-bike

Heybike summer flash sale drops Mars 2.0 fat tire folding e-bike with $198 in free gear back to its $899 low (Save $798 total)

Heybike has launched a Summer Flash Sale through July 20 that is seeing many of its e-bikes return to their lowest prices alongside solid savings on others. The standout is the popular Mars 2.0 Fat Tire Folding e-bike that comes with $198 in free gear at $899 shipped. The sale is bringing costs down from its $1,499 full price tag, which we regularly see drop between $999 and $1,099 during sales, occasionally falling further to the $899 low in flash events like this one. It’s coming back around again with $798 in total savings (including the free large basket and front basket you’ll get) at the best price we have tracked. Head below for more on this model and the others we’re seeing benefit from savings.

If you want to learn more about this e-bike or the other models seeing discounts during this flash sale, be sure to check out our original coverage here.

EGO 56V 25-inch cordless hedge trimmer

EGO’s 56V 25-inch cordless hedge trimmer kit gets larger post-Prime Day savings back to its $269 low

Amazon is offering a post-Prime Day return to the lowest pricing on the EGO Power+ 56V 25-inch Cordless Hedge Trimmer Kit for $269 shipped. Normally costing $349 at full price, we saw this same rate appear a month ago and hold out until the end of June, when it rose back up for the first week of July and only fell to $300 for Prime Day. Now, with that event having ended, the costs are coming back down with $80 in total savings to the best price we have tracked.

You can learn more about this electric lawn care solution by checking our original coverage here.

Birdfy Feeder 2 Duo smart bird feeder with camera

Get up close and personal with feathered visitors through Birdfy’s Feeder 2 Duo at $330 low (Today only)

As part of its Deals of the Day, Best Buy is offering the Birdfy Feeder 2 Duo with Camera at $329.99 shipped, while matching in price at Amazon. It carries a $430 MSRP direct from the brand, while sitting down lower at $420 at Best Buy. The deal we’re seeing here, which will only last through the rest of the day, gives you a 21% markdown off the going rate (23% off the MSRP), providing you with a $90 price cut ($100 off the MSRP) at the best price we can find. What’s more, this deal is coming in $20 under the direct pricing we’re seeing from the brand’s website, while over at Amazon the price is unmoved from its $

If you want to learn more about this advanced smart feeder system, be sure to check out our original coverage of this one-day-only deal here.

Best Summer EV deals!

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.

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The new Chevy Bolt EV is coming soon and it’s getting some big upgrades

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The new Chevy Bolt EV is coming soon and it's getting some big upgrades

Chevy is bringing back the beloved affordable electric hatch. The new Chevy Bolt EV is expected to arrive later this year, featuring over 300 miles of driving range, faster charging, and more.

When will Chevy launch the new Bolt EV?

Many were sad to hear that GM was ending production of the iconic electric hatch in late 2023, but CEO Mary Barra promised a new Bolt EV was on the way.

Barra claimed the updated model would offer “an even better driving, charging, and ownership experience.” It will be based on GM’s Ultium platform, which powers current Chevy, Cadillac, GMC, and Honda electric vehicles sold in the US.

The platform will offer significantly longer driving range and faster charging speeds than the outgoing Bolt. GM also said it will use LFP batteries to lower costs.

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Although LFP batteries typically offer less range compared to NMC, the new Chevy Bolt EV is expected to arrive with over 300 miles of driving range. Given that the Chevy Silverado EV WT offers up to 492 miles of EPA-estimated range, 300 miles for the Bolt EV shouldn’t be too hard, even with LFP batteries.

new-Chevy-Bolt-EV
2022 Chevy Bolt EUV (Source: GM)

GM’s president, Mark Reuss, confirmed the new model will be a part of a “family of Bolts,” which will include an even more affordable variant.

After announcing plans to invest $4 billion in ramping up US production last month, GM said a new “next-gen affordable EV” was in development. It will be built in Kansas, alongside the new Chevy Bolt EV. Whether this model is part of the family of Bolt’s or not remains unclear.

GM-low-cost-EV-batteries
GM plans to build a “next-gen affordable EV) in Kansas (Source: GM)

With an official debut expected later this year, we’ve seen the new Bolt out for testing. Although it keeps the overall feel of the outgoing Bolt, it appears to have a more crossover-SUV look, similar to the Trax.

According to Edmunds, GM’s Super Cruise hands-free highway tech will be available on the upcoming Bolt EV. In the previous generation, it was only offered on the bigger EUV model.

new-Chevy-Bolt-EV
Chevy Silverado (left), Equinox (middle), and Blazer (right) EVs at a Tesla Supercharger (Source: GM)

With some GM electric vehicles now arriving with a built-in NACS port for Tesla Supercharger access, the new Bolt will likely also feature it.

GM is set to begin production later this year, with the new Chevy Bolt EV expected to be available in mid-2026. Prices and final specs will come closer to launch, but the first model from the Bolt EV family is likely to start at a slightly higher price than the $28,785 MSRP of the outgoing model, given the upgrades.

Chevy-Equinox-EV
2025 Chevy Equinox EV LT (Source: GM)

Meanwhile, Chevy already has an affordable model that’s helped it become the fastest-growing EV brand in the US. The Chevy Equinox EV, or “America’s most affordable 315+ range EV,” as GM likes to call it, starts at under $35,000. With the $7,500 EV tax credit, the price of the base LT model drops to just $27,495.

With leases starting at just $289 per month, it’s no wonder the electric SUV is selling like hotcakes. GM expects the Chevy Equinox EV to be among the top-three-selling EVs by the end of 2025.

Ready to test one out for yourself? We’ve got you covered. You can use our link to find deals on the Chevy Equinox EV at a dealer near you (trusted affiliate link).

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Rivian has extended its R1 lease deals into September, with savings as high as $15,500

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Rivian has extended its R1 lease deals into September, with savings as high as ,500

We’ve already reached peak summertime (crazy), and your back patios aren’t the only thing heating up. Rivian has extended its lease deals, which apply to a range of R1S and R1T configurations. Combined with federal tax credits, you could save upwards of $15,000 on a new Rivian EV.

Today’s latest deals update is an extension (and a welcome one at that) of two separate lease deal programs that Rivian announced earlier this summer. In May, we reported that Rivian had begun a “Nothing But Adventure” lease offer, which covered the $6,500 down payment on the lease of any R1 EV with a dual motor configuration with the Max battery pack and performance upgrade package.

However, that deal was originally set to expire on May 31, 2025. In June, Rivian followed up with a second deal called the “Summer Adventure Offer,” which included $5,000 off the purchase or lease of a new Tri-Motor R1 EV if customers took delivery by June 30.

Below, we have broken down Rivian’s latest offers, which include revamped lease deals that have been extended through the rest of the summer.

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Rivian lease deals
Source: Rivian.com

Rivian lease deals on dual, tri motor R1S and R1T EVs

Rivian sent an email earlier today outlining details of its latest lease offers, which include multiple deals valid through September 1, 2025. That includes the previously mentioned “Nothing But Adventure” offer, which now pertains to any 2025 Tri-Motor R1S or R1T lease.

Similar to the May 2025 deal, Rivian will contribute $6,500 toward the down payment of said lease, as long as you place your order by September 1 and take delivery by September 30. Combined with the $7,500 federal EV lease credit and a $1,500 bonus from Rivian for trading in any vehicle, you can save as much as $15,500. Check out all the terms and conditions here.

Rivian’s “Summer Adventure Offer” expired last month. Still, the American automaker has followed up with a new “Summer Lease Offer” that applies to any 2025 Dual Motor R1 model with the performance upgrade. Combined with the federal credit and Rivian Energy Refresh bonus of $1,500, customers can save up to $14,000 on an R1S or R1T with a Max battery pack, and up to $12,000 with those dual models with the Large pack.

Per Rivian, the summer lease offers between $3,000 and $5,000 will be applied directly to your 2025 Dual Motor order as long as it’s on or before September 1, 2025, and delivery is taken by September 30. To peruse the lease deals, you can connect with a Rivian sales advisor or go to R1 Shop.

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