Ignorance of how EVs work is holding back uptake, says survey

Published

8 months ago

September 4, 2024

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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.

Another cool thing about EVs is that you can charge them at home using rooftop solar panels. Find a reliable and competitively priced solar installer near you on EnergySage, for free. They have pre-vetted installers competing for your business, ensuring high-quality solutions and 20-30% savings. It’s free, with no sales calls until you choose an installer. Compare personalized solar quotes online and receive guidance from unbiased Energy Advisers. Get started here. – ad*

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Wheel-E Podcast: Tenways cargo e-bike, Lime mopeds, EUCs, more

Published

58 mins ago

April 25, 2025

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Wheel-E Podcast: Tenways cargo e-bike, Lime mopeds, EUCs, more

This week on Electrek’s Wheel-E podcast, we discuss the most popular news stories from the world of electric bikes and other nontraditional electric vehicles. This time, that includes a new cargo e-bike launch from Tenways, Lime bringing its new e-bike and e-moped to its larger fleets, testing a 100 mile e-bike, California’s e-bike vouchers are set to open again in another lottery round, a new electric unicycle from InMotion, and more.

Today’s episode is brought to you by retrospec—makers of sleek, powerful e-bikes and outdoor gear built for everyday adventure. Electrek listeners can get 10% off their next ride until May 8th with the exclusive code ELECTREK10 only at retrospec.com.

The Wheel-E podcast returns every two weeks on Electrek’s YouTube channel, Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter.

As a reminder, we’ll have an accompanying post, like this one, on the site with an embedded link to the live stream. Head to the YouTube channel to get your questions and comments in.

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After the show ends, the video will be archived on YouTube and the audio on all your favorite podcast apps:

We also have a Patreon if you want to help us to avoid more ads and invest more in our content. We have some awesome gifts for our Patreons and more coming.

Here are a few of the articles that we will discuss during the Wheel-E podcast today:

Here’s the live stream for today’s episode starting at 9:00 a.m. ET (or the video after 10:00 a.m. ET):

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Redditor: my Polestar 2 window stopped a bullet from hitting me [pictures]

Published

10 hours ago

April 25, 2025

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Redditor: my Polestar 2 window stopped a bullet from hitting me [pictures]

This one’s pretty simple, kids – it’s exactly what it says on the tin: a Polestar 2 owner took to the Polestar subreddit this week claiming that the window glass in his new EV actually stopped a bullet from hitting him. Plus, he says he’s got the pictures to prove it. (!)

The brand may be evolving into its own, but the OG Polestar 1 and Polestar 2 were little more than hot electric versions of Volvo cars – and Volvo cars are known throughout the world for their secure, planted feel on the road and absolutely bananas high-tensile steel safety cages. As such, it should come as no surprise that the Polestar 2 is one of the safest sedans on the road today … but is the car really bulletproof?

That’s what one redditor is claiming after his window was hit by what they believed to be a stray bullet just five days after taking delivery.

Polestar stopped a bullet.
byu/CptMerica29 inPolestar

Now, as the growing brand rivalry between Polestar fans and their Tesla-driving counterparts might lead you to expect, some of the comments are pretty pointedly referencing Tesla – and pretty funny. Here are a few of my favorites:

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Comment
byu/CptMerica29 from discussion
in Polestar

Now, that was fun, sure – but it’s worth noting that a number of commenters claiming alternately that there’s no way this was a .22 caliber bullet (certainly not a .22 WMR) or that it was a stray shot from very far away. The consensus seems to be that a .177 caliber air gun pellet is most likely to blame, but my money is on a small piece of stone or gravel kicked up at a weird angle from a nearby vehicle.

Regardless, it seems like CptMerica29 is A-OK, and their Polestar 2 hardly seems worse for wear, either. Here’s hoping it’s the last time we have to have a debate about what kind of bullet was being fired at an EV driver for a long time.

If you’d like to try your hand at driving a Polestar 2 through a volley of flying debris and other assorted projectiles and letting us know how you do, click the link below to score a great deal on one near you (while you still can):

Disclaimer

I would like to believe this is obvious, but there’s a “do not use batteries as toothpaste” sticker on this pack of Duracell batteries for a reason, so I’m going to err on the side of caution here and tell any of you reading the above and taking it seriously that: I am kidding. That was a joke.

To be clear, it is my position that NO VEHICLE this side of a Mercedes-Benz EQS GUARD or Inkas Armored S Class is actually bulletproof – and that, yes, a .22 is a real gun with plenty of lethal stopping power and, also yes, a pellet gun can and has killed a lot of people. DO NOT SHOOT AT CARS, and do not sit in your cars and let others shoot at you if you can at all avoid it.

As getsome75 so eloquently puts it:

Comment
byu/CptMerica29 from discussion
in Polestar

Stay safe out there, kids.

SOURCE | IMAGES: CptMerica29; featured image via Polestar.

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Slate emerges with customizable EV pickup available for under $20k [Video]

Published

10 hours ago

April 25, 2025

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Slate emerges with customizable EV pickup available for under $20k [Video]

After about a month of speculation and subtle hints from industry insiders, American EV startup Slate has emerged from stealth to share its flagship model with the world. This simplified all-electric pickup arrives with over 100 accessories, a five-seat SUV configuration kit, and get this… crank windows. Even better, this no-nonsense pedigree of EV is priced refreshingly low, starting below $20,000 after US tax incentives.

As we pointed out last month, there was much more we didn’t know than we could confirm about a new EV brand called Slate. The American automaker was verified as an official business on LinkedIn as of March 5, giving us a sparse trail of breadcrumbs to follow to learn more.

According to the page, Slate had already established a team of 200 to 500 employees, and 46 additional open roles were listed. Some open jobs, such as plant manager and suspension engineer, hinted that Slate has been working on at least one EV.

Aside from promising “the next generation of innovation in the industry” (despite not confirming what industry), Slate’s website stated that we would learn more on April 24. We had heard rumblings that the Troy, Michigan-based startup was on the cusp of debuting a simple, all-electric pickup.

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However, that wasn’t confirmed until two days ago, when the first real-world images of the EV emerged ahead of Tesla’s earnings call. Our readers pointed out that “Slate” is an anagram of “Tesla,” which offers interesting fodder to the conspiracy theory scene at best.

While Slate’s name may be a tongue-in-cheek nod to reimagining an EV industry Tesla championed early on, the name seems more rooted in the fellow American company’s clean slate approach to EV design. From what we’ve now seen, Slate is breaking from the trend of other startups kicking off market entry with top-tier, luxe models starting in the $80-$100k range.

Instead, it has created a no-nonsense EV pickup that starts at a super low price, leaving the upgrades and customizations to the customer. Better still, if you US customers prefer a five-seat option, Slate also offers that. See below:

Slate debuts EV that can be 2-seat pickup or 5-seat SUV

Slate has officially arrived and, in my opinion, is a welcome breath of fresh air (because of no emissions, of course) to an American EV industry that is growing by the day, but has yet to reach critical mass in adoption.

Much of that struggle relates to pricing (not to mention lackluster local charging infrastructure). Most EVs are not affordable enough for the average consumer yet, and to get an electric pickup like Slate is now offering, for example, you have to opt for a model from Ford, GM, or Rivian that will cost at least $63,000 and will easily go up from there with added features like range.

Instead of coming out swinging against the big boys, Slate has dug itself a nice little niche in simplified affordable EVs that are modular and customizable. Slate’s first CEO, Chris Barman, elaborated:

The definition of what’s affordable is broken. Slate exists to put the power back in the hands of customers who have been ignored by the auto industry. It is a radical truck platform so customizable that it can transform from a 2-seat pickup to a 5-seat SUV.

Steel wheels, HVAC knobs, and crank windows – Slate is most certainly taking a clever approach to affordable US EVs for all. Designed to be “approachable and timeless,” the startup flagship model is truly a black slate canvas that puts the brush in the hands of its customers.

The company shared it will offer over 100 accessories, available a la carte or in a bundle, available from your initial order or years down the road. The dash also includes a universal phone mount with USB power, enabling you to use whatever smart device and OS you’d like. Have it custom wrapped by the Slate team or do it yourself, Slate is not only offering variety to customization, but also the process by which it is achieved.

Another example is Slate’s flat pack SUV Kit, which turns the EV pickup into a 5-seat SUV, complete with a roll cage, airbags, and rear seat. Again, you’ll have the choice to have Slate integrate it in Michigan or do it yourself, adding a bit of a DIY “gearhead” philosophy the EV segment has lacked since day one.

“But Scooter, what about specs?” Don’t worry my friends, we got you:

Dimensions:
- Length: 174.6 inches
- Wheelbase: 108.9 inches
- Width: (w/o mirrors): 70.6 inches
- Height: 69.3 inches
- Pickup Interior Volume: 55.0 ft³
- SUV Interior Volume: 80.5 ft³
- Frunk Cargo Volume: 7 ft³
- Bed Cargo Volume: 37 ft³
- SUV Cargo Volume (behind seats): 34 ft³
Weights:
- Curb Weight: 3602 lbs.
- Max Payload: 1433 lbs.
- Max towing: 1,000 lbs.
Power and Battery:
- Powertrain: Single motor, RWD
- Battery: 52.7 kWh (standard) or 84.3 kWh (add-on)
- Power: 150 kW (201 hp)
- Torque: 264 Nm (195 lb-ft)
- Acceleration (0-60 mph): 8 seconds (est.)
- Top speed: 90 mph
Charging and Range:
- Onboard charger: 11 kW
- Level 1 AC: 3.6kW / 20-100% in 11 hrs.
- Level 2 AC: 11kW / 20-100% in under 5 hrs.
  Level 3 DC: 120kW / 20-80% in under 30 mins.
- Charging Configuration: NACS
- Standard Range (52.7 kWh) (est.): 150 miles
- Large Pack Range ((84.3 kWh) (est.): 240 mi.
- Combined city/highway (est.): 96 MPGe
Bed Dimensions (Pickup):
- Bed width (between wheel wells): 42.9 inches
- Bed Width Min./Max.: 50.0 inches /54.9 inches
- Bed Length: 60.0 inches
- Bed Length (Tailgate Down): 81.6 inches

According to Slate, its flagship EV will be sold directly to consumers and is available to reserve now with a $50 deposit. The trucks will be built in the US and start at an MSRP below $20,000 (after federal tax incentives). No timeline on when production may begin, but a representative for Slate told Electrek that initial customer deliveries are… slated to begin in Q4 2026. Not too shabby.

While we await more details regarding this new American brand, here’s a better look at Slate’s first EV from a video it provided below:

Source: Slate

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