EV Myths

MYTH: EV's Take Too Long To Charge

Fact: Some EVs, such as Kia’s EV6, recharge more quickly than many road-tripping humans. It’s true, you can’t refuel a battery-electric vehicle as quickly as you can fill your tank at a gas station but EV charging technology is rapidly improving. If you’re on a trip that’s long enough to use the full battery range of your EV, you’re probably going to want to stop for a while. By the time you do all that, your EV should be as ready as you are to get back on the road. By the way, if long journeys are a big part of your lifestyle and you’re not quite ready to give up on gasoline, consider a hybrid or plug-in hybrid vehicle (like a Kia Niro, Sportage or Sorento).

MYTH: EV'S Are Slow

Fact: The flagship EV6 GT AWD has a top speed of 260km/h and an official 0-100km/h sprint time of 3.5 seconds. That’s supercar territory. When you accelerate in a gas-powered vehicle, the energy in the fuel must first be released by combustion before traveling through hundreds of heavy moving parts to finally reach the wheels, which drains the torque until the whole system is up to speed. Electric motors simply need an electric current to instantly deliver maximum torque, and, in many EVs, those motors are connected directly to the wheels. That’s part of the reason why the Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD was able to outpace a gas-powered Porsche Cayenne Coupe in acceleration tests.

MYTH: There Aren't Enough EV Charging Stations

Fact: If you plug your phone in while you’re sleeping, you don't have to worry about your battery level. When you own an electric vehicle, it’s very similar; plug it in at night at home and you’re good to go. Okay, but what about those of us who don’t have garages or wall chargers... or what about long trips? Public charging stations are – admittedly – not quite as common as gas stations... yet. There are more than 12,500 public charging stations currently available in Canada and more than 120 in our province with more being added all the time. And, as more charging stations are added to the map, they’ll be added to the maps in your Kia EV navigation systems so they’re always easy for you to find.

Find Charging Stations Here

MYTH: Not Enough Range

Fact: Kia offers battery-electric options with ranges of up to 499 kilometers. EV range may have been an issue a decade ago! In 2010, the average range of an electric-only vehicle was about 160 kilometers on a full charge. Since then, the automotive industry has worked hard to double that figure. Today, nearly all electric-only vehicles deliver at least 340 kilometers of range on a single full charge, while Canadian drivers average less than 45 kilometers on the road per day.*

*KBB Statistics

MYTH: No Variety in EV Models

Fact: At Kia, we offer choices in several of the best-selling sizes and body styles: the Kia Sportage compact SUV and Kia Sorento midsize SUV, both available in hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions, the Kia EV6 midsize crossover as an all-electric vehicle and the Kia Niro compact crossover in hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all-electric models. And with Kia’s commitment to becoming the leader in electrified vehicles, there are many more choices to come – including the all-new, all-electric compact EV5.

MYTH: EV Batteries Don't Last Long Enough

Fact: Today’s lithium-ion battery technology is safer, more powerful and longer-lasting than any battery type to come before. In fact, they’re proven to last as long as a gasoline engine. But we know it takes time to get comfortable with new technology... so, at Kia, we have you covered. If your battery drops below 70% within your 10-year/100,000 mile warranty period, we’ll replace it. Simple as that.

MYTH: EV's Can't Handle the Cold

Fact: With any electric vehicle, your maximum range can be reduced in cold weather. Fortunately, Kia’s all-electric vehicles apply countermeasures to minimize loss of range. While you are charging your Kia EV, the Battery Heater uses power from the grid to keep your battery warm and, if activated by the customer, the cabin can be preheated (or cooled), as well. And Kia EV6 and Niro EV have an available Heat Pump that reduces cold-weather range loss from 30% to 17% by reducing energy required to warm the cabin.

MYTH: You Can't Charge EV's in the Rain

Fact: It’s perfectly safe to plug in and charge a Kia EV in any kind of weather condition. We understand your concern. We've long been taught to avoid mixing electricity and water since Ben Franklin flew his kite in a thunderstorm, but you can rest assured that Kia EV engineers keep your safety in mind when designing charging systems. Both the charge port on the vehicle and the plug you put into it are carefully designed to be water resistant and safe to handle even when it’s raining. Your Kia EV battery is also structurally sound and sealed off from the elements, so whether charging or driving, water is never a worry.

MYTH: EV's Are Too Expensive

Fact: Kia EVs will save you money in ownership costs over time. If you look at the math apples-to-apples, yes, electrified vehicles are pricier than their gas-powered counterparts. But it’s not that simple. The Total Cost of Ownership of an EV is lower than a gas-powered vehicle. For example, the average cost per kilometer for an EV is 3 to 4 ¢/km versus 11 to 12 ¢/km for a gas-only vehicle. And services like oil changes and tune-ups aren't performed on all-electric models. Finally, like any other new technology out there, the higher the demand, the more affordable it becomes for the general consumer.

Spend less on maintenance with an EV.

Did you know that electric vehicles require less maintenance than traditional gas engine vehicles?

Kia EV owners save an average of $110 on maintenance in the first year of ownership, and an average of $700+ over the first six years of ownership compared to non-EV vehicles.

Kia Maintenance Plans offer a variety of services that are ideal for maintaining your Kia EV. Some specific maintenance requirements for an EV include:

  • Battery health monitoring

  • Tire rotation and pressure checks (proper maintenance can help prolong the life of tires on all cars including EVs)

  • High voltage system coolant replacement

  • EV comprehensive “multipoint” inspection

Contact us to learn more about available EV maintenance plans and benefits

East Coast KiaEV Myths