Why Electric Cars Aren’t Taking Off

Why Electric Cars Aren’t Taking Off: The Untold Truth

Why aren’t sales and adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) skyrocketing? This guide reveals the real issues, the things no one is saying outright. Discover the factors negatively impacting the EV market to avoid surprises and drive with awareness.

The electric car represents the future of mobility, but the transition to this technology faces significant challenges. While reduced environmental impact and lower running costs promise a more sustainable and economical driving experience, aspects like the purchase price, the availability of charging infrastructure, and especially the real-world range of the vehicles are still significant deterrents for many consumers. One fact raises particular concerns: the range declared by car manufacturers, often based on the WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure), almost never matches real-world driving experiences.

This article will outline the actual problems encountered by current EV owners and the objective factors that still hinder widespread adoption.

1. Initial Cost:

Electric cars, within the same vehicle class, generally have a higher purchase price than internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles (petrol, diesel, hybrids). This is a significant barrier for many buyers, especially in an uncertain economic climate. Although government incentives exist in many countries (including Italy, where they have existed and still do, but often with price limitations and funding availability restrictions), these don’t always fully compensate for the price difference.

2. Range and Range Anxiety:

Battery range, meaning the distance a vehicle can travel on a single charge, is still a limiting factor for some users. Even though ranges are constantly increasing, the fear of running out of charge, especially during long journeys, is a widespread concern (known as “range anxiety”). This fear is exacerbated by the relative scarcity of charging infrastructure, particularly in certain geographical areas (for example, in Italy, the distribution of charging stations is uneven, with a higher concentration in the north).

3. Charging Times:

Recharging an electric car takes longer than refueling a petrol or diesel car. Even with fast chargers, the time required is still more than a few minutes. This can be a problem for those who need to travel long distances quickly. The availability and reliability of fast charging stations are still under development.

4. Charging Infrastructure:

As mentioned, the charging infrastructure network is still expanding in many countries. The lack of public charging stations, especially in rural areas and some urban areas, makes owning an EV less convenient. Even installing private charging stations in apartment buildings or private homes can present bureaucratic or logistical difficulties.

5. Maintenance Costs and Battery Life:

Although electric cars have fewer mechanical components than traditional cars and therefore, in theory, require less maintenance, there is still some uncertainty about long-term maintenance costs, especially concerning battery replacement. Battery lifespan is a debated topic. While modern batteries have a good lifespan (often guaranteed for several years or kilometers), concerns about their replacement and the associated cost affect purchasing decisions.

6. Information and Culture:

There is still some misinformation about electric cars and their advantages. Many consumers are unaware of the benefits in terms of lower running costs (fuel/energy and maintenance), tax incentives, and environmental impact. Car culture is still strongly tied to the internal combustion engine, and there is some resistance to change from certain consumers.

7. Production and Supply:

Manufacturing batteries for electric cars requires the use of critical raw materials, the extraction and processing of which can have environmental and geopolitical impacts. The production capacity of batteries and electric cars is increasing but may not yet be sufficient to meet rapidly growing demand.

8. Automaker Strategies and Government Policies:

Automaker strategies and government policies play a crucial role. Investments in research and development, production of more affordable models, incentive policies, and infrastructure development are essential to promote the transition to electric mobility.

A Very Important and Often Overlooked Point:

The discrepancy between the range declared by automakers (usually according to the WLTP) and the real-world range experienced by users is a well-documented and widespread problem.

Why is there this difference?

The WLTP is a standardized test performed in a laboratory, under controlled conditions, with specific parameters:

• Temperature: Optimal temperature, without extreme climatic conditions (excessive cold or heat that negatively affects battery efficiency).
• Speed: Relatively low average speeds, with few hard accelerations and constant speed.
• Load: Empty car, without passengers or extra load.
• Ideal Conditions: No use of energy-consuming systems such as air conditioning, heating, headlights, wipers, etc.
• Tires: Specific low rolling resistance tires.
• Standardized Route: Predefined route that does not necessarily reflect real-world driving conditions (traffic, mountain roads, highways, etc.).

Therefore, the WLTP provides a comparative data point between different cars but does not accurately reflect real-world range.

Factors that influence real-world range:

• Driving Style: A sporty driving style, with frequent accelerations and braking, consumes much more energy than smooth and constant driving.
• Speed: At high speeds, aerodynamic resistance increases significantly, increasing energy consumption.
• Climate Conditions: Extreme temperatures (both hot and cold) negatively affect battery efficiency. Cold weather, in particular, can significantly reduce range.
• Use of Onboard Systems: The use of the air conditioner (especially heating), headlights, infotainment system, and other electronic devices contributes to energy consumption.
• Type of Route: Urban routes with frequent stop-and-go can be more efficient for electric cars thanks to regenerative braking, while rural and highway routes, with higher sustained speeds, consume more.
• Topography: Routes with uphill and downhill sections affect energy consumption and regeneration.
• Load: The weight of passengers and transported cargo affects consumption.
• Battery Wear: Over time and with use, battery capacity decreases, reducing range.

Confirmation from Online Experiences:

Numerous user testimonials, independent tests, and road tests conducted by specialized magazines confirm that real-world range is often lower than the WLTP declared range. The difference can vary significantly, but in many cases, it is around 20-30% less, and in some cases, especially in extreme conditions or with a very sporty driving style, it can even reach 40-50% or more. For example, 600 km claimed range becoming 300-350 km in reality is not an isolated case and falls within the scenarios that can be observed in practice.

The Myth of “Zero” Emissions:

Electric cars are often referred to as “zero-emission” vehicles, but this definition, while widespread, is not entirely accurate. While they do not emit exhaust gases during use, their environmental impact is not zero. Battery production, raw material extraction, the source of electricity used for charging, and battery disposal are all factors that contribute to the ecological footprint of an electric vehicle. This section of the guide will thoroughly analyze the “false myth” of zero emissions, examining the entire life cycle of electric cars to fully understand their real environmental impact and compare it with that of traditional vehicles.

1. Emissions Related to Production:

• Raw Material Extraction and Processing: Battery production requires the extraction of lithium, cobalt, nickel, and other metals, often in problematic environmental and social conditions. The extraction and processing of these raw materials involve CO2 emissions and other pollutants, in addition to potential damage to ecosystems.
• Battery and Car Production: Even the manufacturing of batteries and the assembly of the car itself require energy and industrial processes that generate emissions.

2. Emissions Related to Electricity Generation:

• Energy Mix: The environmental impact of an electric car largely depends on the source of electricity used for charging. If electricity comes from renewable sources (wind, solar, hydroelectric), the impact is significantly lower. However, in many countries, a substantial portion of electricity is still produced from fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas), which results in CO2 emissions and other pollutants.
• Transmission Grid Efficiency: Even the transmission and distribution of electricity involve losses, which translate into higher energy consumption and therefore greater upstream emissions.

3. “Hidden” Emissions:

• Tire Production: Tire production and wear contribute to air pollution through the release of microplastics and other particles. This applies to both electric and traditional cars but is an often-overlooked aspect when talking about “zero emissions.”
• Battery Disposal: Disposing of spent batteries represents a significant challenge. If not managed correctly, it can have a significant environmental impact due to the presence of heavy metals and other hazardous substances. However, battery recycling is under development and is becoming increasingly efficient, allowing for the recovery of valuable materials.

So, are electric cars really “clean”?

Despite these aspects, it is important to emphasize that, overall, electric cars have a lower environmental impact than internal combustion engine cars, especially considering the entire life cycle of the vehicle. Several life cycle assessment (LCA) studies and analyses demonstrate this.

• Lower Direct Emissions: The absence of tailpipe emissions significantly contributes to reducing air pollution in urban areas, with benefits for public health.
• Potential for Emissions Reduction Over Time: With the increasing diffusion of renewable sources and the improvement of battery recycling technologies, the environmental impact of electric cars is destined to decrease further over time.

It is also important to consider that almost all studies agree that, in the long term (over 100,000 km and especially over 150,000 km), electric cars offer a significant environmental advantage compared to combustion engine cars, thanks to lower emissions during use and the progressive decarbonization of the energy sector. Therefore, a significant mileage is required to become competitive in terms of polluting emissions.

It is important to be aware:

It is crucial to be aware that the term “zero emissions” is a simplification. Electric cars are not completely without environmental impact, but they represent an important step towards more sustainable mobility. To maximize environmental benefits, it is necessary to:

• Promote the use of energy from renewable sources: Encourage the production and use of wind, solar, hydroelectric, and other clean energy sources.
• Improve battery recycling technologies: Invest in research and development of increasingly efficient recycling processes to recover valuable materials and reduce the environmental impact of disposal.
• Consider the entire life cycle of the vehicle: Evaluate the environmental impact not only of tailpipe emissions but also of production, use, and disposal.

Conclusions:

As you have seen in previous search results, there are road tests that measure the real-world range of electric cars. For example, InsideEVs conducted a test on several cars, finding significant differences between WLTP and real-world range. In some cases, the difference exceeded 30%. Other sources, such as Virgilio Motori, report similar data.

When evaluating the purchase of an electric car, it is essential to consider not only the declared range but also the factors that can influence real-world range. It is useful to consult independent tests, user reviews, and online forums to get a more accurate idea of the real performance of the vehicle in different usage conditions. Regarding “zero” emissions, these truly occur only after long use; just coming out of the factory, these cars are not “zero-emission.”

In any case, the discrepancy between declared and real-world range is an important aspect to consider. Despite technological advances, it is still crucial to be aware of the factors that influence range and gather accurate information before purchasing.