Fake News: Myths busted on EVs and charging

Intro: Cutting Through the EV BS

If you've spent more than five minutes online, you've likely heard a load of BS about EVs. "They take ages to charge," "They'll leave you stranded," "They're worse for the environment than petrol cars" - sound familiar, eh? It’s time to set the record straight. Whether you're a seasoned EV owner or still shopping around for the right EV, this blog will bust the myths and show you what EV charging in Australia is really all about.

Let’s smash these myths.

Myth #1: EVs Take Ages to Charge

🔍 The Truth: Charging an EV doesn’t take any longer than filling up a petrol tank - when you know what you're doing.

Charging times depend on where and how you plug in:

• Fast charging: At a DC fast charger, you can boost from 10% to 80% in 20-30 minutes - plenty of time for a quick coffee.
• Home charging: Plug in overnight with a zuup Charge (15A, 3.5kW) and wake up to a fully charged battery - just like charging your mobile.
  
  

Myth #2: EVs Will Leave You Stranded with No Power

🔍 The Truth: Modern EVs aren’t going to leave you in the lurch like your old Nokia brick. You get plenty of warnings before you’re low on charge.

Now, here's a nugget for you: we Aussies love to talk about how vast our country is and that we drive 1,000kms a day, but on average, we drive less than 35km a day. In reality, the typical EV battery could last for up to two weeks without charging at this rate! Most EV drivers in Australia charge at home, so you're rarely left stranded. And for those rare road trips, there are more charging stations to keep you going - but don't forget to pack your zuup Go charging cable.

Myth #3: EVs Are Worse for the Environment Than Petrol Cars

🔍 The Truth: Sure, making an EV (especially the battery) has its environmental costs, but over its lifetime, an EV produces significantly less CO₂ than a petrol car.

Why?

1. Zero tailpipe emissions: No pollution while you’re cruising.
2. Renewable energy: Charge from solar or green energy, and your EV’s environmental impact drops even further.
3. Battery tech improvements: With better recycling and longer battery life, EVs keep getting greener.
   
   

Myth #4: The Grid Can’t Handle EVs

🔍 The Truth: Australia’s grid isn’t on the verge of collapse because of EVs.

• Most charging happens overnight when demand is low.
• Off-peak pricing encourages charging during these times.
• In the near future, EVs might even support the grid with vehicle-to-grid technology and certainly to power your own home.
  
  

Myth #5: EV Batteries Wear Out in a Few Years

🔍 The Truth: EV batteries are built to last - think 10-15 years or more, much longer than your smartphone’s battery.

• Manufacturers often offer warranties for 8 years/160,000km+.
• Many EVs retain 80%+ battery capacity even after a decade of use.
  
  

Myth #6: There Aren’t Enough Chargers

🔍 The Truth: There are thousands of public chargers across Australia, with more being installed every month. Plus, most EV drivers charge at home, so public infrastructure is really just a backup.

And here’s where zuup eMobility comes into play. With about 85% of Aussies living in metro areas, charging is getting easier than ever. The brilliant folk at zuup Skunkworks are cooking up zuup eMobility - an epic roaming solution to find, charge, and pay for your EV charging at any charger with one simple app. Stay tuned for more details - this one will be a game-changer!

Myth #7: EVs Are Too Expensive

🔍 The Truth: While the upfront cost of an EV might seem steep, the running costs are far lower than those of petrol cars.

Here’s how EVs save you money:

1. Lower fuel costs: Charging is significantly cheaper per kilometre compared to buying petrol.
2. Less maintenance: EVs have fewer moving parts, meaning fewer repairs and lower servicing costs.
3. Government incentives: Various rebates and tax benefits help tip the scales in favour of EVs.
   
   

Myth #8: Chinese EVs Are Rubbish

🔍 The Truth: Dismissing Chinese EVs as rubbish is outdated, dare I say it, almost Boomer-like. In fact, China has been in the EV game for over 20 years, leading the charge with some of the most advanced and high-quality vehicles available.

• Years in the game: Chinese manufacturers have refined EV technology over decades.
• Tech innovation: Companies like BYD and CATL are setting global benchmarks in battery tech and vehicle performance.
• Cleaner cities: Ever been to a Chinese city lately? With EVs making up a huge part of their fleet, smog is becoming a thing of the past.
  
  

Wrap-Up: Don’t Fall for the Hype

EV myths are everywhere, but the facts tell a different story. EVs are practical, affordable, and here to stay - especially with modern, portable solutions like zuup Charge, zuup Go and the game-changing upcoming zuup eMobility app.

So, next time someone at a BBQ starts spouting EV nonsense, hit them with these facts - or better yet, send them this blog. 

Charge on, legends! ✌️

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Author: James Kleine | zuup Founder / EV enthusiast (and petrol-head at heart).