Myths vs. facts: rethinking Electromobility
BEM member company Juice Technology AG, manufacturer of charging stations and software and a leader in mobile charging stations for electric vehicles, dispels the most common myths and provides fact-based arguments for an enlightened discussion about electromobility. Despite rapidly growing registration figures and technological advances, numerous prejudices against electric vehicles persist. However, many of these concerns are based on outdated assumptions.
1. save electricity – drive a combustion engine…? Not at all
A widespread misconception is that electric cars place an excessive burden on the power grid. In fact, the refining of petrol and diesel alone consumes considerable amounts of electricity: around 15 kilowatt hours of electricity are needed to produce and supply 6 litres of diesel – enough to drive 100 kilometres in a modern e-car. Instead of wasting energy on fuel production, electricity is used much more efficiently by charging electric vehicles.
2. CO₂ footprint of eCars…? Significantly better than combustion engines
Even if the electricity mix contains fossil fuels, electric cars have a better overall energy balance than vehicles with combustion engines. In Switzerland, around 60% of electricity comes from hydropower, which makes charging electric cars virtually emission-free. With a PV system on the roof of their home, eDrivers also have their own charging station, which is 100% CO₂-neutral and provides free electricity to boot.
3. too little electricity for apartment blocks…? Smart solutions provide a remedy
Electricity is produced around the clock and not all vehicles charge at the same time. With the help of smart charging stations and intelligent load management – as already integrated in the JUICE CHARGER me 3, for example – the available electricity can be dynamically distributed to all vehicles to be charged. For property owners and condominium owners who are reluctant to invest in charging infrastructure, the all-inclusive rental model from Juice Services enables underground car parks to be equipped with charging infrastructure on a turnkey basis – without high initial costs for owners’ associations.
4. environmental impact of lithium mining…? Relativised by comparative data
Lithium extraction is often criticised. However, the water consumption for an average 60 kWh battery is equivalent to that for the production of ten avocados or 30 cups of coffee. New, sustainable mining methods are also emerging: In Germany, CO₂-neutral lithium will be extracted from thermal water from 2027, which could cover up to 40% of European demand.
5. batteries with a short service life…? Modern battery technology proves the opposite
The assumption that batteries are unusable after a few years does not correspond to the facts. Current lithium-ion batteries guarantee around 3,000 charging cycles and then retain around 80% of their original capacity. Expressed in figures: a battery with a range of 500 km lasts for over 1.5 million kilometres. It can then be reused as a stationary energy store – a resource-saving second use. And even at the end of its life cycle, over 90% of the raw materials it contains can already be recovered using modern recycling processes.
6. driving electrically is inconvenient and the charging infrastructure is inadequate…? In fact, it is more convenient
The idea that you first have to find a charging station is a holdover from the world of combustion engines. In fact, the diversions to the petrol station is completely unnecessary, as electric cars are charged where they are parked anyway: 80% of all charging processes take place at home, at work or when shopping. The charging network is growing continuously. There are currently over 154,000 public charging points in Germany and around 16,000 in Switzerland – and the trend is rising. Mobile charging solutions such as the JUICE BOOSTER also enable charging at any conventional socket, making millions of potential charging points available worldwide. The wide range of charging options – private, public, fixed, mobile, AC or DC – not only means a great deal of flexibility, but also time savings – and a real gain in convenience.
Conclusion: The common prejudices against electric cars are often based on misinformation or outdated data. Modern eMobility is efficient, conserves resources and, in combination with renewable energies, is the key to a sustainable transport transition. Thank you from the BEM for the compilation of facts!
⇢ BEM-member Juice Technology
