There are a lot of myths surrounding electric vehicles (EVs), but it’s important to note that EVs aren’t just a buzzword. They’re rapidly becoming a significant part of fleet and business mobility strategies. However, there are still plenty of myths and misconceptions that hold companies back from adopting them.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), in 2024 global EV sales topped 17 million, pushing EVs to account for over 20% of new car sales worldwide. These figures demonstrate that EVs are becoming more mainstream and are no longer considered a niche product.
For any business considering green mobility, understanding and dispelling these myths is key. In this blog, we’ll tackle the top 9 electric vehicle myths you need to know—and why you shouldn't let them stop your fleet from evolving.
Before looking at each myth, let's take a moment to understand why they continue to exist. Many are based on outdated data, limitations of early-generation electric cars, or misconceptions from passenger car use cases.
It’s crucial to debunk electric vehicle myths because misconceptions discourage decision-makers from investing in EVs in advance or correctly. In reality, accurate data assists businesses in avoiding oversights, lowering risk, and maximising productivity. Better planning for charging infrastructure, total cost of ownership, and integration with risk and compliance systems is made possible by busting EV myths.
A major concern when it comes to EVs is that they don’t have enough range. It’s true that the early EVs did struggle with range, but thanks to battery and energy density improvements, it has dramatically improved.
In fact, the average modern EV has a range of 300-400 kilometres per charge, more than enough for many business fleet routes. For many commercial routes, such as deliveries, sales rounds, and local services, range isn’t the constraint it once was.
Fleets benefit from knowing route patterns. For example, if 90% of routes fall under 250 km, then an EV's range should be sufficient. Although there’s still a need for long-haul route planning for some operations, "range anxiety" is exaggerated for many other routes.
While it’s true that refilling a vehicle with an internal combustion engine (ICE) is much faster than charging an EV, charging doesn’t actually take as long as you think. In fact, fast charging can give an 80% charge in roughly 30 minutes in many EVs.
Charger technology has advanced in public places and depots. Downtime is reduced through high-power DC fast chargers, smart charging scheduling, and overnight depot charging. In practice, many fleets charge during off-peak hours or during driver breaks.
When you compare this to refuelling ICE vehicles—driver wait time, queuing, fuel price fluctuations—charging can be far more predictable when managed correctly.
In actuality, EVs frequently have lower costs per kilometre over the course of a vehicle's life. The upfront price may be higher, but lower energy (electricity vs. fuel) costs, lower maintenance (fewer moving parts, no oil changes, simpler drivetrains), and incentives frequently tip the scales in its favour.
Additionally, during specific periods, some governments or utilities provide tax breaks, grants, or reduced electricity prices.
When fleet managers run total cost of ownership (TCO) models, EVs frequently come out favourably, especially for higher-usage vehicles.
Another major misconception is that EVs can’t handle heavy loads or long trips, when they actually can. Many EVs are built with strong torque and a capable load capacity. Electric motors are able to deliver instant torque, which is helpful for heavy loads or hilly terrain. Many manufacturers now offer electric vans, trucks or utility vehicles.
Long trips will require charging infrastructure planning, but for medium-duty logistics and urban freights, EVs are practical. Some EV versions of existing trucks show performance that’s on par with diesel in certain scenarios. This is sure to only improve with time.
The myth that the power grid can’t support EV growth may not be the case. Smart charging tools aid in load management, and grids are also evolving. Electricity systems are making investments in demand response, energy storage, and upgrades. Smart chargers have the ability to dynamically adjust charging rates or move loads to off-peak times. Demand curves are also made smoother by integration with renewable energy sources (like wind and solar).
With proper planning, adding EVs to a fleet won’t overwhelm a grid—it’s a manageable engineering challenge.
Many believe that EV batteries wear out too quickly, but in reality, they often last 8–15 years or more, depending on usage and care. Yes, battery degradation is real, but it’s slower than many expect. Many manufacturers also offer warranties (e.g., 8 years / 160,000 km or similar).
Many batteries maintain 70–80% capacity well into later years. You can also extend the battery life by not fully charging it, not letting the battery get very low before charging, and not exposing it to extreme temperatures. In real-world fleets, battery replacement is a minority expense within the lifetime of the vehicle.
When comparing internal combustion engines to full lifecycle emissions, they’re more sustainable. Although EVs do have upstream emissions from manufacturing and battery production, they typically emit fewer carbon emissions over the course of their lifetimes than ICE vehicles, particularly when the energy is low-carbon.
The "sustainability" argument is strengthened when recycling and advancements in battery technology are included. EV fleets can significantly lower emissions associated with transportation when aiming to meet ESG targets or carbon reporting.
Actually, the infrastructure for charging is growing quickly, and private stations are possible. Cities, highways, and business centres are seeing an increase in the number of public charging stations.
Installing on-site or depot chargers provides control and coverage in various fleet situations. Combining public and private charging usually works well, even in places with limited coverage.
Businesses can frequently overcome the "lack of stations" issue by implementing a hybrid scheme that combines public network use with private depot charging.
The last myth is that EVs are just a trend. They’re not. Global momentum and regulatory shifts indicate long-term popularity.
Electrification is being strongly supported by both markets and policies. Internal combustion is being phased out by several automakers. Over the next ten years, EVs are expected to account for the majority of new car sales. EVs are a long-term solution because of customer desires, carbon regulations, and ESG concerns.
For a fleet, dismissing EVs as a passing trend is risky. You may miss the wave rather than ride it.
Having a clear comparison is helpful before jumping into a more in-depth conversation or operational planning session. By resolving misunderstandings, it immediately lowers risk in executive planning, budgeting, and decision-making. Companies are able to steer clear of overly complex solutions or overestimating challenges.
Businesses can develop realistic, affordable rollout plans and meet sustainability targets by having confidence in the true potential and limitations of EVs. This also helps them maintain their competitiveness in a changing mobility market.
Putting off the introduction of electric vehicles could lead to higher costs and missed opportunities. Businesses that wait run the risk of losing market share as laws become more stringent and consumer demands shift. By acting early, you can get incentives and establish your fleet as environmentally conscious and progressive.
Act now to:
The benefits of using EVs for your South African fleet are lower operating costs, improved fleet reliability, a better driver experience, sustainability and future-proofing. Making the switch to EVs has immediate benefits for your fleet and your bottom line, so it's not just about complying with regulations.
Businesses stand to benefit financially, operationally, and in terms of their reputation by reducing emissions. Because of these advantages, EVs are a better long-term investment than traditional cars.
Cartrack supports your EV transition in the following ways. From monitoring battery health, charge levels, and energy usage to integrating risk compliance and sustainability reporting. Cartrack ensures that your fleet’s EV rollout is measurable, optimised, and aligned with corporate goals. Our risk management and compliance tools make it easier to track, audit and report on your EV operations.
With Cartrack, you can confidently and intelligently manage EVs rather than just adopting them. Electric cars have long since outlived their infancy. There are more and more antiquated misconceptions regarding range, cost, infrastructure, battery life, and sustainability. Busting these myths is more than just academic for companies and fleets—it's crucial for long-term planning, risk reduction, and wise investment.
If you’re considering electrifying your fleet, let Cartrack help you to make the transition smooth, measurable and safe. Visit our Sustainability & Compliance page to see how our tools support your EV journey.
Yes, EVs are starting to hold value better as demand grows. In South Africa, the second-hand EV market is still small, but it’s expanding fast. Businesses that invest now can expect stronger resale opportunities in the future, especially as more drivers and fleets shift to electric.
Yes, EVs are increasingly dependable when properly managed. Many fleets report strong uptime, and EVs have fewer mechanical parts (no oil, fewer fluids, fewer moving components). Regular maintenance checks, battery monitoring and software updates typically keep reliability high.
EV running costs are usually lower per km. Electricity is often cheaper and more stable in price than fuel. Maintenance costs drop (no oil, fewer moving parts). When you factor in incentives or tax breaks, the gap widens further in EVs’ favour.
Yes, EVs really do reduce your company's carbon footprint over their full lifecycle. EVs tend to emit less CO₂ than ICE vehicles. Even considering manufacturing emissions, the operational emissions are far lower—especially when charged from a clean grid. For businesses with ESG targets, switching to EVs is one of the more tangible carbon reduction levers.
Yes, EVs are becoming more practical for your fleet in South Africa. More public fast-charging stations are rolling out, and you can also install depot chargers for your vehicles. With electricity still cheaper than petrol or diesel, you’ll cut operating costs while building a greener, future-ready fleet.
No, EV adoption won’t affect fleet production if it’s planned well. In fact, it often improves reliability and predictability. By aligning charging times (overnight, off-peak), pairing with route planning and using real-time monitoring, EVs can match or surpass ICE fleet productivity. Predictable energy costs and fewer mechanical failures help too.
Discover the truth behind common electric vehicle myths. Learn how EVs cut costs, boost sustainability, and future-proof your fleet with Cartrack.
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