Myths and truths about electric cars: what no one tells you (clearly)

Electric mobility is no longer the future; it's the present. However, many comments, "broscience," and doubts still circulate about electric cars. Such as, they take forever to charge, or they'll ruin you with electricity bills...

Today, we're putting on our mechanic and electrician hats to debunk the most common myths and tell you the real truths about owning an electric car and charging it at home.

❌ Myth 1: "They take forever to charge"

⚖️ The truth: It depends on where you charge it, but at home, it's a matter of minutes (of your time)

If you try to charge an electric car using a regular wall outlet (the same one where you plug in your microwave), yes, it can take over 24 hours. But no one who owns an electric car does that.

The reality is that by installing a smart home charger (a Wallbox) of 7.4 kW, your car will be fully charged in about 6 to 8 hours.

The trick: You don't stand there watching the car charge. You get home in the evening, plug it in in less than 30 seconds, go to sleep, and in the morning, your "tank" is full. The actual time you lose is plugging and unplugging. It's that simple.

❌ Myth 2: "Having a charger at home uses too much electricity and will ruin you"

⚖️ The truth: It's up to 4 times cheaper than gasoline

This is the biggest fear. Thinking that installing a charger will triple your electricity bill. Let's look at the numbers: charging an electric car to travel 100 km consumes about 15 to 20 kWh.

If you take advantage of nighttime rates (off-peak rates), the cost of electricity is very low. Traveling 100 km can cost you between €1.50 and €2.50. Doing the same 100 km with a gasoline or diesel car costs no less than €8 or €10. The monthly savings are enormous.

❌ Myth 3: "Your differential will trip (the fuses will blow) if you run the washing machine while charging the car"

⚖️ The truth: Only if you don't use the right technology

If you connect the car at maximum power and at the same time turn on the oven, air conditioning, and washing machine, you will probably exceed your home's contracted power.

The real solution: Nowadays, quality home chargers (like the eHome range and similar) are compatible with dynamic power control systems (like the CirBEON device). This sensor measures your home's real-time consumption. If you're cooking, the charger automatically lowers the power to the car. When you turn off the kitchen, the charger increases the power again. Your house will never be left in the dark.

❌ Myth 4: "Batteries get damaged quickly, and replacing them is very expensive"

⚖️ The truth: They last much longer than you think

Current electric car batteries are not like old mobile phone batteries. They are managed by very advanced liquid cooling systems.

Most manufacturers offer 8-year or 160,000-kilometer warranties for the battery, ensuring it will maintain at least 70% or 80% of its capacity. Furthermore, charging at home regularly (slow or semi-fast AC charging) leads to minimal battery degradation compared to always using ultra-fast highway chargers.

❌ Myth 5: "There aren't enough charging points if you want to travel"

⚖️ The truth: The network grows every day, but the key is your routine

90% of our daily commutes do not exceed 50-60 km. For daily use, the only charging point you need is in your garage.

For travel, there are now apps that plan your route, indicating where to stop. A 20- or 30-minute stop at a fast highway charger (the time it takes to have a coffee and stretch your legs) will give you enough range to continue.

🔌 Conclusion: Is it worth it?

The electric car changes the way we understand energy. You no longer go to the "gas station" but "refuel" while you rest or work. The key to a perfect, economical, and shock-free experience on your electricity bill is to have a good home charging setup and an installation carried out by professionals.

Are you thinking of making the switch to electric mobility and have doubts about what charger your garage needs? Contact us, and we'll advise you without obligation!