Hyundai survey reveals and addresses EV concerns

A survey by Hyundai of petrol and diesel drivers has revealed 22 per cent would not feel safe charging an electric car.

Meanwhile, 18 per cent said they didn't think it would be safe to drive through a lightning storm, and 12 per cent wouldn't feel happy about charging their phone in an electric car.

Almost one-third (29 per cent) of Londoners were worried about driving in lightning, with the same figure having safety concerns about driving in the rain.

In comparison, just 11 per cent of people in East Anglia were worried about going out in an electric car in the same conditions.

Hyundai conducted the research with OnePoll of 2,000 petrol, diesel and alternatively-fuelled vehicle (AFV) drivers. 56 per cent said the government was doing the right thing by encouraging motorists to switch to AFVs by 2040.

Hyundai has now addressed the top ten concerns and myths about electric cars:

Range anxiety

Don’t panic. A typical electric vehicle (EV) covers between 100 and 200 miles on a single charge and even longer on some models with ranges of more than 300 miles. Hyundai’s KONA Electric can actually go as far as 278 miles with one charge.

Worried you won’t find anywhere to charge?

No need to be! There are currently more than 14,500 public charging points in more than 9,000 locations in the UK[1] and the network is growing rapidly.

Think an electric vehicle is too expensive?

Think again. With more and more affordable and competitive options and fewer moving parts to fail or need replacing, EVs are in fact cheaper to run than conventionally fuelled vehicles.

Worried that electric vehicles are too sluggish?

Not true! Instant torque delivery means EVs can accelerate just as quickly and if not much quicker than their petrol or diesel counterparts. For example, Hyundai’s Kona Electric can accelerate from 0-62mph in just 7.9 seconds.

Think you can’t take an electric vehicle through the car wash or drive in a lightning storm?

Of course we’ve all been told that you don’t mix electricity with water, but when it comes to EV’s its perfectly safe to use a car wash and there’s no extra risk of driving in a lightning storm.

Not enough choice in the market?

The electric car market is expanding rapidly. In fact, Hyundai currently has the largest e-mobility fleet in the world including the latest in electric, hybrid and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

Worried that electric vehicles’ batteries are adding to the landfill crisis?

EV batteries can be recycled just like the batteries in petrol or diesel cars. EV power cells can be used to store solar and wind energy, or they can be broken down with their more-valuable elements reused[2].

Doubting the safety of electric vehicles?

Rest assured that EVs undergo the same rigorous testing and meet the same safety standards required for petrol or diesel fuelled cars.

Worried about your breakdown cover?

No reason to be. The majority of breakdown suppliers now provide services for all EVs as well as conventional vehicles.

Don’t think an electric vehicle will fuel your petrol head needs?

You won’t be disappointed. As soon as you push down on the accelerator, the transition from stationary to speed is almost instantaneous.