Electric Cars – Myths and Facts!

Why did so many myths emerge around used EVs?

Every new market goes through a phase of exaggeration. Electric cars are no different, but there’s an extra ingredient: the battery. It’s the most important part of the car and also the least familiar to most buyers. That creates perfect conditions for two extremes: irrational fear and blind confidence.

The buyer who gets it right doesn’t fall into either camp. They understand the battery deserves technical attention — WITHOUT PANIC — and that the rest of the vehicle follows the classic logic of any used car: clear history, good provenance, support, and usage that makes sense.

Myth 1: “The battery will die quickly”

This is the number one myth and the most decisive one at the time of purchase.

The truth is that EV batteries are designed to handle usage cycles over time. That doesn’t mean wear doesn’t exist. It means the wear is gradual and, in most cases, predictable when you know what signs to look for.

What matters in the real world isn’t the abstract fear of a “bad battery.” It’s the right question: does the car’s current range make sense for its age, model, and usage history?

If yes, the risk drops dramatically. And the purchase becomes what it should be: a rational analysis, not an emotional one.

Truth 1: real-world range is the most honest metric in a used EV

Catalog range is a reference. Real-world range is life.

With a used EV, you need to see range as a behavior, not an isolated number. It’s influenced by:

• usage profile (city/highway)

• temperature

• driving style

• tire condition and pressure

• charging history

Real-world range doesn’t need to be perfect to be acceptable. It needs to be consistent with the car’s purpose and your routine. That’s the filter that separates a good purchase from regret.

Myth 2: “Used EV maintenance is always very expensive”

This myth usually comes from two confusions.

The first is comparing the cost of some specific EV parts with the total maintenance of a combustion car. The second is ignoring that an EV eliminates a series of traditional combustion routines.

An EV is not a “maintenance-free” car. It’s a car with a different maintenance profile and, in general, a simpler drivetrain — which tends to reduce the volume of recurring day-to-day interventions.

In other words, the risk of high costs exists, but it’s not automatic or inevitable. It shows up mostly in cases where the car lacks a clear history or comes from models with uncertain support.

Truth 2: brand support and a specialized network matter even more in the used market

In the used market, it’s not enough for the car to be good. It needs to be well supported.

For EVs, that includes:

• availability of service and parts

• recall/update history

• quality of local support

• how mature the model is in the market

Even buyers focused on price should take this seriously, because weak support turns any initial advantage into long-term risk.

Myth 3: “You can’t travel with a used electric car”

The root of this fear isn’t exactly the car — it’s logistics.

For frequent long trips, an EV requires more planning and depends on charging infrastructure along the route. That’s true for both used and new models. The mistake is turning this specific scenario into a universal verdict.

If your routine is mostly urban and you take occasional trips, a used EV can work very well. If you drive long highway distances daily without convenient charging, then the purchase may indeed be premature.

The key point is: a used electric car isn’t unsuitable for travel; it’s more sensitive to your usage profile.

Truth 3: home charging changes everything

The biggest difference between happiness and frustration with an EV often comes down to this.

Those who can charge at home or at work tend to experience an EV as a natural evolution. Those who rely exclusively on public charging may experience it as a complication.

In the used market, this matters even more because many buyers enter the segment specifically seeking better value. Without convenient charging, the main benefit loses strength.

Myth 4: “Used EVs always depreciate more than normal”

Depreciation is a legitimate concern, but it’s rarely absolute.

The EV market is still maturing and technology is evolving quickly. That can put pressure on prices for some models. But there’s a big difference between:

• models with strong reputation and consistent demand

• models with weak support or unclear positioning

Used EV depreciation is more similar to the traditional market than it seems: it varies by brand, category, perceived reliability, and the balance of supply and demand.

Truth 4: buying a used EV safely is technical, not mystical

The good news — especially for beginners — is that buying a used EV safely doesn’t require genius. It requires method.

A well-guided buyer usually looks at three dimensions:

• real-world range consistent with the car’s age

• reliable usage and service history

• concrete brand and network support

When these three points align, the risk drops. And the used EV stops being a bet and becomes a strategy.

Where a used EV can be a real opportunity

There’s a quiet advantage in the used EV market that people are starting to recognize: it can be the most rational way to experience the technology without paying the entry price of a brand-new model.

For those who mostly drive in the city, prioritize comfort, want predictable costs, and are looking for a modern driving experience, a used EV can be the ideal balance between innovation and financial common sense.