EV Myths

This is one of the top concerns people have about EVs, but the truth is that most EV drivers never have to worry about the range of their electric vehicles.

Range anxiety (the fear that the battery will die before you reach your destination) is largely unfounded. The EVs sold in Canada today can travel on average more than 400 km before needing to be plugged in to charge. Some EVs can travel as far as 700 km! Plus, there are plenty of charging stations, and more are being built every day (more information about charging stations).

Charging an EV is very different than filling a car up with gas. It’s not something you have to go out to do; it simply happens, usually overnight while you are sleeping.

Cold temperatures do not damage EV batteries, but they do make them work harder, meaning the charge won’t last as long. But no need to worry, there’s usually lots of range left to go where you need to go. If you really want to dive into the data, read this.

The cabin of an EV, on the other hand, warms up very quickly – unlike a gas vehicle you don’t have to wait for the engine to heat up. On long trips, the cabin, battery and moving parts stay warm which helps to minimize range loss. If you are big on long winter road trips, opt for EV models with ranges of or above 400 km.

To minimize range loss, all modern EVs allow you to “warm up” the vehicle before you depart, usually through the manufacturer’s app. Pre-heating while still plugged into your charger will warm up the cabin and battery, while pulling electricity from your house, rather than from the stored energy in the battery.

As for winter driving, the weight of an EV’s battery is spread out over the entire floor of the vehicle which helps increase traction, and produces a very low centre of gravity. We do recommend investing in some good winter tires, just like any other vehicle.

Further to the above, consider that in April 2025, EVs accounted for 97% of auto registrations in Norway!

Every year, more and more EVs are coming to market and manufacturers are always looking for ways to make them more affordable. That being said, there are many EVs currently sold that cost less than a comparable gas car when you consider the total cost of ownership. Don’t forget that gasoline is many times more expensive than electricity (especially if you charge at lower overnight rates), and those maintenance items like regular oil changes add up.

Some jurisdictions also offer EV rebates for both new and used EVs. As of March 2025, the rebate for new EVs from the Canadian Federal Government has been paused, but is expected to resume at some point in 2025 as part of the new Government’s commitment to climate change action. Québec’s rebate in 2025 amounts to $4000 for a full EV.

When looking at the lifetime cost of your vehicle, you could still save more money in the long run even if the sticker price is more.

There are many factors that determine an insurance rate, but most of our EVCO members do not see an increase in their insurance costs. If you are trading an older vehicle for any new vehicle, your premiums will likely rise, whether or not it’s an EV.

We recommend getting multiple quotes, as some insurance providers actually provide a “Green” or “EV” discount. Make sure to ask!

We’ve all seen news articles circulating about EVs on fire. While it’s true that EVs can catch fire, studies show this is less likely than with gas/diesel, or even hybrid vehicles. One 2023 study shows that combusion-powered vehicles are 29 times more likely to catch fire.

New battery technologies and chemistries like Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4 or LFP) are even less of a risk than other chemistries.

While hybrid gasoline-electric vehicles do have their place, and we understand they are better than internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, they do not provide the same environmental and operational cost savings that full EVs do.

Sales people will tell you that hybrids are “the best of both worlds,” but when you break it down, you still need to purchase expensive fuel, and perform regular oil changes, just like a regular gasoline vehicle. The electric-only range is typically very low as well.

Note: Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles (PHEV) do allow you to charge the battery like an EV, and have more electric-only range than a regular (HEV). These are a better alternative to HEVs, but keep in mind they still require regular oil changes and maintenance for the ICE.

This is a very common myth. Hydrogen on the surface sounds like a great solution – the only emission is water, and quick re-fuelling. When you dig into it, you’ll find out there are serious concerns with their viability for personal vehicles.

• Hydrogen needs to be produced, and this can come from natural sources by “cracking water” (Green Hydrogen), but most likely it would come as a byproduct of Natural Gas production (Blue Hydrogen). Each of these processes require electricity or another power source. If we’re already using electricty to produce Hydrogen, why not just feed that directly into the grid to charge our EVs?
• Hydrogen vehicles are more efficient than gasoline vehicles, but less efficient than exisiting EVs.
• Refuelling a FCEV is faster than charging an EV (not by much), but this does again require you to travel to a specific station rather than potentially “refuelling” your EV in your driveway. Test vehicles in California have also experienced the fuelling nozzle freezing onto the vehicle as Hydrogen must be stored pressurized, and at extremely low temperatures.
• Hydrogen refuelling stations are extremely rare, and the cost of refuelling is extremely expensive. To be fair, this can change, but the economics of producing, shipping, and storing Hydrogen does not seem viable.

First, tires. Yes, the instant torque and slightly increased weight of EVs can indeed increase tire wear. This can be mitigated by moderating your acceleration and braking, and rotating your tires on the recommended schedule. That being said, tire manufacturers are working on and releasing EV-rated tires that use different compounds. These tires typically come with the same tread life warranties as existing tire designs, so this issue is likely to lessen over time.

EVs do not wear brake pads as quickly as ICE vehicles. In fact, brake pads last significantly longer on EVs. The main reason is “Regenerative Braking.” This technology uses your electric motor(s) as a generator which puts electricity back into your battery when you decelrate or come to a stop. This means that your brake pads (friction brakes) are likely only used for the final few meters as you come to a complete stop, or during emergency braking. A real-world example: One of EVCO’s early EV adopters had their first brake pads replaced at 270,000kms!

Yes, when comparing identical ICE and EV models, the EV will have a higher curb weight. That being said, roads and other infrastructure are already engineered to handle heavy vehicles such as transport trucks, pickup trucks, etc. When comparing the average EV to existing ICE vehicles, you’d be surprised to know that a gas pickup truck is very likely heavier than your EV, but we never seem to hear complaints about them damaging roads.

This depends on a few factors – namely, what are you plugged in to?

EVs can be charged in 3 ways:

• DC (Direct Current) Fast Charging – Sometimes called “Level 3”
  These are the chargers you see installed at businesses, rest stops, etc. They are capable of recharging a modern EV in under 30 minutes on average. These cannot be installed at your home.
• AC “Level 2” (240v)
  This is a charger that provides 240v, and you could install in your home. They use a similar electrical circuit to a clothes dryer or stove. Depending on the circuit’s amperage and your charging equipment, these could recharge your EV in as little as 2.5 hours.
• AC “Level 1” (120v)
  Most EVs come with this charger, and can be used day-to-day, or as an emergency travel charger. For example, you may not have a Level 2 installed at a cottage, but with a regular household 120v outlet, you could “trickle charge” your car during your stay. While this can take a long time, for a lot of EV owners, this could be sufficient to recharge your daily driving. Don’t forget that you may not be charging your battery from 0-100% every single day.

It’s not always necessary to upgrade your panel or electrical service. Many new Level 2 (240v) EV chargers are “smart” meaning they can be downgraded to pull lower amperage, or even self-adjust if it detects you are going to exceed your panel’s limit.

As with most services, it’s best to consult a licensed Electrical Contractor, and get several quotes.

Not necessarily. A lot of drivers don’t realize that gas stations run on electricity too. The reason you see lineups at a few stations during an outage is likely due to them still having power either from the grid, or a generator. Also, during emergencies gas stations will quickly run out of fuel due to high demand. When a charger is still active, you don’t have the same worry of “running out” of electricity.

Ways to mitigate the impact on you – Charge before severe weather. If you see a storm is coming, it’s a good idea to charge up. If you do need to charge, make sure to check apps such as “PlugShare,” and the EVCO Facebook Group! PlugShare offers real-time crowdsourced information such as charger availability and other information. Our EVCO Facebook Group is typically abuzz during outages with many drivers reporting availability, with some members even offering their own home if they still have power.

A real-world experience:

During the May 2022 derecho in Eastern Ontario, Hydro Ottawa experienced 1,000 simultaneous outages affecting 180,000 customers.

With such a widespread outage, EV drivers quickly reported the status of EV chargers around the region, identifying which were operational. Many small pockets of the city still had power as well, so many EV owners started to offer their own home chargers to anyone in a pinch!

On the other side of the spectrum, many EVCO members discovered the ability to use their EV as a backup power source. Many new EVs like the Hyundai Ioniqs, Kias, and Ford/GM pickup trucks offer Vehicle to Load (V2L). This means you can plug some critical items directly into your EV. A member of our group was able to power freezers, a fridge, lights, and WiFi for an entire week!

This is a vast generalization, and completely depends on several factors like your location, and the grid’s “fuel” source. Here in Ontario, coal plants were shut down by 2014 marking a stark reduction in greenhouse gases caused by electricity generation. The majority of our base-load is provided by Nuclear and Hydro. During peak periods, Gas generation may be used. If you charge your vehicle overnight when demand is low, there is a very good chance your electricty is generated by clean sources. Next door in Québec, close to 100% of their generation is provided by Hydro and other renewable sources.

Suprisingly, in regions that still generate electricty from coal plants, EVs are so efficient that their carbon output in this case is still lower than if the same vehicle were to burn fossil fuels. That being said, if your region still uses coal plants, we encourage you to contact your government reps to encourage their phase-out.

This is mostly false, and depends on how or where you charge.

When comparing the cost-per-kilometre/mile between EVs and ICE vehicles, EVs come out ahead in almost all cases. This is especially true when you charge at lower overnight rates at home. Charging can be more expensive when you use roadside Level 3 DC fast chargers, but still typically cheaper than an equivalent tank of gas.

This is not necessarily true. Many Governments have, or are introducing, time-of-use billing. Peak demand hours are typically during the day, and low demand at night. By lowering the cost per kWh at night, it encourages EV owners to shift their charging to low demand times like overnight when our base generation mostly uses inexpensive Hydro or Wind power. Did you know that in Ontario we actually export excess electricity during low demand, sometimes at a loss?

Utilities have been planning for electrification for years, so this is not a surprise to them. New hardware and software technology can help manage loads without causing brownouts or blackouts.

EVs also have the potential to be part of the solution! Vehicle to Grid (V2G) technology is already being tested across the world. These programs are typically opt-in and allow grid operators to use your vehicle during peak periods to help maintain the grid, while often giving you rebates or other rewards for participating. This means you can charge your vehicle during low demand periods at a low cost, then sell that energy back to the grid at a premium.

Here in Ottawa, Ottawa Hydro has been working with EVCO members for the EV Everywhere pilot program. This program connects to members’ EVs and, during a “peak event,” will pause the EV charging until the event has passed. This opt-in program helps even out our peak demand and can avoid costly equipment upgrades to the grid in the future. Participants are rewarded with a bill credit for each event.

It is doubtful you would need to replace the entire battery in a modern EV. Studies consistently show that as the technology continues to improve, the chances of an outright failure are very slim. EV batteries are also typically modular, meaning even if there were an issue, it’s possible single cells could be replaced rather than the entire pack.

While it’s true that batteries degrade (lose capacity) over time, you can’t equate modern EV batteries with the battery in your mobile phone that seems to die every couple of years. Capacity loss is usually minimal over the lifespan of the vehicle.

1. EV batteries are typically not depleted to near 0%, or charged to 100% every single day like your mobile phone. This can stress batteries. EV manufacturers will offer advice on how best to manage your battery day-to-day, including charging only to 80% unless you need to charge to 100% for a long trip. Note: Some new battery chemistries are happy to be charged to 100% daily. Refer to your manual, or in-car software for information specific to your EV.
2. EV batteries include a sophisticated Battery Management System (BMS). This optimizes charge speeds and battery temperatures to keep your pack happy. Modern EV batteries also have active thermal management to make sure they never get too hot.

Manufacturers are confident in the reliability of their batteries, so much so that they offer a minimum 8-year warranty on the packs. Check your manual, or with your dealer for specifics.

Modern EV batteries are likely to outlive the life of the vehicle’s body and other parts, especially in cold climates where road salt causes rusting. While batteries do lose capacity over their life, they can be reused after their road life, often in static storage.

Ultimately, when an EV battery reaches its end of life, the critical minerals inside them are still valuable. These batteries are about 95% recyclable, with some manufacturers working towards higher recycling rates.

While mining does impact the local environment, don’t forget that oil is also technically mined, especially in Canada’s Tar Sands. The major benefit of mining lithium is that it is used and recycled indefinitely, while oil is processed and burned, resulting in air pollution. In addition, many mines are quickly electrifying, further reducing their impact on our environment.

A common misconception is that Lithium is a rare-earth metal. This is untrue, and Lithium is abundant across the world, with large deposits right here in Canada. In addition, many manufacturers are developing and deploying other battery chemistries like Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4 or LFP), and Sodium-ion, which use more Iron and Sodium which reduces the amount of Lithium required.

It’s true that “Solid State” batteries could be the future, and holy grail of batteries. We’ve heard from several well-known auto manufacturers that this technology is “right around the corner!” While development is ongoing, the truth is that it will be years, if not decades before they are commercially viable and affordable.

If you are interested in the benefits of an EV, we suggest you don’t wait for future tech that may or may not materialize.