Myths and Facts: Why Electric Cars Are Often Underestimated
Critics of electric cars often use well-known prejudices: insufficient range, expensive batteries or an allegedly poor environmental impact due to battery production. But what is the reality?1. Raw materials: a challenge, not a dead end
It is true that electric cars use more raw materials during production than vehicles with combustion engines. Around half of the total resource consumption is accounted for by the battery. These are still heavily dependent on some critical raw materials such as lithium, cobalt, nickel and graphite. But research is progressing rapidly and car manufacturers are striving to do without cobalt in their batteries. For example, since 2020 the basic version of the Tesla 3 models has been equipped with LFP batteries (lithium iron phosphate), which do not require cobalt as a cathode material. Alternative battery technologies such as solid-state batteries will further reduce the need for critical materials. At the same time, batteries offer great potential for the circular economy. Recycling methods are becoming increasingly efficient and the need for primary raw materials is decreasing in the long term.2. Charging infrastructure: growth at record pace
The charging infrastructure is growing rapidly worldwide, driven by private investment and government funding programs that are also increasingly opening up rural regions. Many countries are also relying on national expansion plans to further improve availability. At the same time, charging technology has also made great progress: fast charging stations such as the JUICE ULTRA 2 battery with integrated buffer battery enable fast charging without putting a strain on the power grid. Since grid stability is not affected, powerful, reliable fast charging options can be implemented even in locations with limited grid capacity.3. Life cycle assessment: Increasingly emission-free
Electric cars (EVs) do not emit any pollutants locally and, when powered by renewable energy, can drastically reduce CO₂ emissions. With the consistent expansion of green energy sources in more and more countries, the share of renewable energy in the electricity mix is continuously increasing. This makes electric cars that are charged with sustainably generated electricity a virtually emission-free alternative - a clear advantage over vehicles with fossil fuels.4. Cost factor: Falling prices due to regulatory pressure and intense competition
Electric cars are already more attractive than vehicles with combustion engines when looking at the total cost of ownership (TCO) over their entire service life . The reasons for this are significantly lower operating costs: electricity is generally cheaper than petrol or diesel, and thanks to the simple design with only a few wearing parts, there are hardly any ongoing costs for service and maintenance.In addition, the offer prices are now also falling. From 2025, stricter CO₂ fleet targets will force car manufacturers to increase the proportion of electric vehicles in their model ranges to at least a third in order to avoid heavy fines. The result is an intense price war among manufacturers who not only want to secure market share but also achieve their CO₂ targets. This regulatory pressure, but also technical progress and economies of scale, will further reduce the prices of electric cars in the future and drastically accelerate their market penetration.
In any case, leading automobile manufacturers around the world have long since geared their strategies towards electromobility. Many of them are planning to offer a large proportion of their vehicles as electric vehicles from 2030, and some are even planning to switch completely to electric cars by 2035. Billions of dollars invested in research, development and production make it clear: the future is electric, and the industry is determined to drive this change forward.
5. Range and driving comfort: suitable for everyday use and innovative
Modern electric cars have ranges that are more than sufficient for everyday use - many models now reach over 400 kilometers on one battery charge. The much-vaunted range anxiety is now hardly an issue, as the charging network is expanding nationwide. At the same time, the cost of batteries - one of the biggest cost drivers - has fallen dramatically in recent years, and recycling technologies for batteries are developing rapidly. Studies also show that electric cars have a significantly better CO₂ balance than combustion engines after just a few years, especially when they are powered by electricity from renewable energies.But electric cars offer many advantages that go beyond the obvious lack of emissions. The electric drive ensures a smooth and vibration-free driving experience, while the impressive acceleration makes driving electric cars a real pleasure. E-cars are also leading the way in the field of technology - they often integrate innovative features such as autonomous driving functions, over-the-air updates and smart energy optimization. All of this makes them a future-oriented overall package.
