Addressing EV myths with the bp pulse team

There’s never been a better time to take the EV plunge, but are there a few much talked about myths that are holding you back? Time to meet some of our bp pulse team members who have gone all-electric - Robert Chadwick, Steven Clayton, Katharine Clieve, and Mark Sankey - and are keen to put the record straight. 

Myth #1: I could never afford to make the switch to EV  

Thanks to more entry-level vehicles coming to the market, more competitive charging and budget-friendly finance options, driving an EV is more in-reach than ever before. For Steven, who works in Product Compliance, affordability was certainly a key driver: “The motivation came from the salary sacrifice scheme available at work. We needed a second car for the household, and the convenience of the work scheme, plus tax incentives, made it an easy choice.”  

Chemical Engineer Mark Sankey says it’s competitive charging rates that can make a big difference: “Make the most of special EV and off-peak electricity tariffs to save on energy costs.” Which is where pulse comes into own. Its competitive charging rates are even better when you subscribe through the bp pulse app. Customers pay on average 20% less than contactless rates when using the bp pulse network.* They also get one month's subscription free.** 

Myth #2: I can’t make long journeys in an EV 

There was a time when EVs could only handle short inner-city trips – but those days are well and truly in the rear-view mirror. With one of the UK’s largest charging networks and improved battery life, range anxiety is rapidly becoming a thing of the past.  

For Robert, who’s an EV Implementation Lead, charging has become an integral – and enjoyable - element of driving an EV on longer journeys: “I love a road trip and love to test the charging infrastructure to demonstrate to others the reality of public EV charging. When I went on my first long trip (800-mile round trip) what struck me was that although the journey was longer in an EV due to charging, it was actually a much more pleasant experience.”

He also believes that switching to an EV has made him a safer driver. “As you have to stop to charge, it forces you to stop at sensible time periods. You get out of the car, go for a walk, get a coffee and feel so much more refreshed for the rest of your journey.” Although some pre-trip planning is necessary, he says that only minimal time planning charging stops is necessary to ensure a smooth journey. “The infrastructure is improving all the time which just means more choice for charging.” 

Katharine, a Second Line Support Co-ordinator, is also relaxed about going the extra mile: “Don’t get too anxious about range. I always have a limit that I will let the car get to before I plug in (I don’t have a home charger). Generally, this is around 50-60 miles - within which it’s easy to find a charger.” She adds that there are a lot more chargers than there used to be so there’s no need to panic about finding your next charge. “Just looking back over the last 12 months, it’s amazing to see how much the infrastructure has grown and how easy it is for my long journeys.” 

As Mark says, you just need to think carefully about what you’ll be using your vehicle for, before you make the move: “Consider what types of journey you’ll use the vehicle for to know what battery range you need.” 

Myth #3: I’d find charging my EV frustrating 

As Katharine reflects, frustrations are easily forgotten, and while the idea can seem quite daunting, it’s all easy going, once you get going: “I was anxious about the charging process as this was something I had never experienced and was surprised at how easy it was to plug in and charge!” 

Steven uses his EV for his work commute which is a round trip of 100 miles and says that with chargers at work he finds it much more convenient than an ICE.  While for Robert, home charging just adds to the all-round ease. “I love the convenience of just plugging in and having a full battery in the morning.”  

Myth #4: I could never get used to driving an EV 

Our team agrees on most points, and no more so than the pleasure of being behind the wheel – of an EV.  A new experience, but one worth embracing, says Robert. “It is different, and you’ll go through a learning curve, but it really is easy owning an EV once you get used to it. I love driving an EV.” For him, there’s certainly no turning back, and he believes that most people who’ve made the switch would not go back.  

“I still never get bored with the instant speed. It’s like having a cheat in a video game!” adds Robert. “When I first test drove my current car the Jaguar I-PACE I was blown away by the instant torque you get from an EV. I loved it and had to have one!” It was after this that he delved into the whole world of EV. “You become more aware of all the other benefits like the convenience of charging at home, the ease of driving, low noise and of course zero tailpipe emissions,” 

There’s no going back for Steven either. “First thing I noticed was the acceleration, even with my little Renault Zoe. It’s a significant mark up from any ICE I’ve had previously and a lot of fun.” But it’s not all about speed. “I also find my EV so much smoother to drive vs even an automatic ICE. No spooling through gears. It’s just so responsive!”

It’s a thumbs-up for the driving experience from Katharine too: “Definitely how smooth and fast it feels when driving. It just feels a lot lighter and handles better than the cars I’ve driven previously. It’s also a lot quieter than my (very old) Yaris, so I can actually hear my tunes!” 

For Mark, whether it’s work or play, he loves being in his EV, “It’s so smooth and easy to drive, my children love going in it too! And for my first commute to work, it made the experience much more enjoyable, even with rush hour traffic.” 

There’s lots of debate around the benefits of EVs, but once you talk to those who are clicking up the miles, day after day, they are quickly dispelled. It really pays to stay informed, so sign up for our newsletter and get the latest news and insights on everything EV.

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