Understanding Electric Mobility: Myths & Car Subscription by Carvolution

Electric mobility has developed rapidly in Switzerland: by 2025, around one in five newly registered cars was a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle). Considering these fast developments, it is not always easy for drivers to keep up.

This overview debunks the ten biggest myths and shows why a car subscription makes the switch so simple.

The 10 Biggest Myths of Electric Mobility in the Fact Check

1. Range: Fear of Running Out of Power

• Myth: "EVs can’t handle long distances."

• Fact: The average range of new models today is between 350 and 450 km. Since 95% of all daily journeys in Switzerland are under 50 km, the range argument is no longer relevant for everyday driving. Thanks to the high density of fast chargers (HPC) on motorways, trips to the seaside or mountains are now standard.

2. Charging Time: "I’ll spend hours at the station"

• Myth: "Refuelling takes 5 minutes, charging takes forever."

• Fact: Charging at home takes 0 minutes of your time, as the car charges while you sleep. On the go, modern cars gain enough energy for the next 200–300 km during the time it takes to have a coffee (approx. 15–25 minutes).
  

3. Infrastructure: "Switzerland isn’t ready"

• Myth: "There are too few charging stations."

• Fact: Switzerland has one of the densest charging networks in Europe (over 16,000 public charging points in 2025). Companies are also investing heavily.

4. Costs: "Only for the wealthy"

• Myth: "Buying one is unaffordable."

• Fact: While the list price is often higher, the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is usually lower. Electric cars save 20–35% on maintenance (no oil changes, no timing belt), and energy costs per 100 km with home charging often fall below CHF 6 – a fraction of petrol costs.

5. Model Variety: "They all look the same"

• Myth: "There is hardly any choice."

• Fact: From the affordable Leapmotor T03, the stylish Fiat 500e, spacious SUVs like the Škoda Enyaq, to luxury saloons – the market in 2026 has an electric option for every segment.

6. Sustainability: The "Carbon Backpack" Effect

• Myth: "Battery production is worse than driving a diesel."

• Fact: Yes, production is energy-intensive. But after 30,000–40,000 km (with the Swiss electricity mix), the EV has paid off its “backpack.” Over its lifecycle, it produces 60–70% less CO₂ than a combustion car. EU recycling quotas also recover 90% of raw materials.

7. Performance: "Slow Vehicles"

• Myth: "Electric cars have no torque."

• Fact: Full torque is available from the first second. Even small and compact cars outperform much stronger combustion cars at the traffic lights. EVs offer smooth, silent acceleration that is addictive.

8. Battery Life: "The battery is useless after 3 years"

• Myth: "The battery degrades extremely fast."

• Fact: Current data show that batteries lose only about 2.3% of capacity per year. Most batteries outlast the car itself. Many manufacturers also offer an 8-year or 160,000 km warranty on battery health.

9 Safety: "Fire Hazard!"

• Myth: "EVs catch fire constantly and are hard to extinguish."

• Fact: Insurance statistics show that EVs catch fire less often than petrol cars. Batteries are housed in robust safety cages that immediately cut power during an accident.

10. Winter Performance: "I’ll get stuck in the snow"

• Myth: "The battery collapses in frost."

• Fact: In winter, range decreases – partly due to heating and higher internal resistance. Modern heat pumps, like those in Tesla cars, compensate for much of this. Reliable mobility requires both: using the heat pump and monitoring routes and charging points even in cold weather. Switzerland, with its challenging topography and cold winters, is an ideal test market – and high sales figures show it works.

Why Charging Technology Often Matters More Than Battery Size

A large battery is like a big petrol tank – nice to have, but heavy and expensive. On long trips, it’s not only range that counts but also how much energy the car consumes per 100 km and how fast it can recharge.

Simple Analogy: Filling Water Bottles

• Large, high-consumption car (e.g., SUV): Imagine filling 25 litres into a big jug. Even with a strong tap, it takes time.

• Compact, efficient car (e.g., Fiat 500e): Only 13 litres needed. Even a weak tap fills it quickly, so you can keep moving.

Example Calculation:

• Fiat 500e (13 kWh/100 km): 100 km recharge ≈ 9–10 minutes at 85 kW fast charger.

• Large electric SUV (24 kWh/100 km): Even at 100 kW, 100 km recharge ≈ 14–15 minutes.