It has only been a couple of years since electric vehicles became a mainstream technology in India. As with any new technology, there are many uncertainties surrounding EVs. As EVs are currently owned by a small percentage of the population, whatever talk is out there regarding their performance, maintenance, and longevity may not be as accurate as we think it is.
This can create a lot of unease among people who are planning on buying an EV. This article lists the most-searched EV myths and doubts and their realities. Let’s get our EV myths debunked forever.
1. Is it safe to charge an EV overnight?
Yes. It is completely safe to charge your EV overnight. This misconception originated from our phone charging practice. The modern EV charging technology comes with a Battery Management System (BMS) that monitors temperature, voltage, and charging speed to protect the battery. It enables automatic charging so that when the battery reaches the set charge level, the car stops charging or switches to a maintenance mode, preventing overcharging.
Hence, overnight charging is not only safe but it is one of the best charging habits for most EV owners.
2. Does DC fast charging damage the battery?
No. DC fast chargers are safe to use for your EV. The concern over DC charging arises from the fact that it generates more heat during charging which in turn affects battery health. But today’s DC chargers come with safety features like temperature control and automatic shutoff which prevents any major damage to the batteries.
Having said that, if we look at it from an economical and long term battery health perspective, it is best to use a combination of AC and DC fast charging for your EV. AC charging works best for daily routines, while DC charging is useful during long distance travel and time-sensitive situations. Together, they offer a balanced and practical charging strategy.
3. Does it take a long time to charge an EV?
No. With the arrival of fast charging technology, you can get your EV charged up to 80% within 30 minutes. Fast charging coupled with overnight charging will reduce EV charging time drastically.
4. Do all public charging stations in India offer fast charging?
Not all public charging stations in India have DC fast chargers. Many locations, such as malls, hotels, offices, and public parking areas, provide AC chargers for longer-duration parking, while DC fast chargers are more commonly found along highways, fuel stations, and dedicated charging hubs. Before planning a trip, drivers should check the charger type and compatibility using charging apps.
5. Does EVs run out of charge quickly?
No. EVs don’t run out of charge quickly leaving you stranded in the middle of the road. EVs are very efficient in stop-and-go traffic because they recover energy through regenerative braking. Many drivers can get close to or even exceed the official range if you are using your EV mostly for city driving.
When it comes to highway driving and long trips, planning ahead for charging breaks can avoid running out of charge.
6. Can I charge my EV more than 80%?
Yes, you can absolutely charge your EV beyond 80%. The 80% guideline is about maximizing long-term battery health, not a hard limit. The recommended charging level is a combination of whether it is daily driving or long trips and the battery chemistry.
For daily driving charging to 70–80% is often recommended if you don’t need the extra range. Whereas before a long trip, charging to 100% is perfectly fine. In fact, it’s exactly what manufacturers expect you to do when you need maximum range.
Moreover, if your EV battery is LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate), it can be charged to 100% most often. Whereas NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt) batteries generally benefit from using an 80-90% daily charge limit and reserving 100% for long trips.
7. Can my housing society stop me from installing an EV charger?
No. Citing fire risk and other concerns many housing societies and RWA (resident welfare associations) across India denied EV charger installations until a few years ago. In 2025, there was a Bombay High Court ruling which stated that housing societies cannot deny EV charger installations. If your RWA is still pushing back, you have clear legal backing. You can install a charger in your designated parking spot using your own electricity meter, with proper earthing and safety measures. The society cannot charge you extra for this or deny permission without legitimate safety grounds.
8. Will my electricity bill go up due to home charging?
Yes, but there is more to it. If you charge an EV at home, your electricity bill will increase, but your overall transportation cost is usually much lower than using petrol or diesel.
Here’s a simple example:
- If your EV consumes 15 kWh per 100 km and your electricity costs ₹7 per kWh, then:
- Charging cost = 15 × ₹7 = ₹105 per 100 km
- Cost per km = about ₹1.05
Compare that with a petrol car:
- Mileage: 15 km/L
- Petrol price: ₹100/L (example)
- Cost per km = about ₹6.67
So even though your home electricity bill goes up, you’re often saving much more on fuel.
9. Do I need a special setup to charge an EV at home?
In many cases, no major electrical upgrade is required, but the best setup depends on the EV and how fast you want to charge.
For most homeowners
You typically need:
- A dedicated electrical circuit for the EV charger.
- A properly earthed (grounded) connection.
- A charger installed according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- A parking spot where the charging cable can safely reach the vehicle.
Charging options
- Standard home socket
- Usually the slowest option.
- May be suitable if you drive relatively few kilometers each day.
- The socket and wiring should be in good condition and capable of handling the continuous load.
- Dedicated wall charger (recommended)
- Charges significantly faster than a regular socket.
- Generally safer for daily charging because it’s designed for continuous high-power use.
- Many EV manufacturers include or recommend a compatible home charger.
10. EVs are far too expensive to own for a middle-class person
EVs have a higher upfront cost compared to their Petrol, Diesel, or CNG versions. But owning a car is not just about the upfront cost, you need to take into account the total cost of ownership, which includes not only the purchase price but also expenses such as fuel, maintenance, and servicing over the vehicle’s lifetime.
Lower running costs: Charging an EV is significantly cheaper than buying petrol or diesel, resulting in substantial fuel savings over time.
Lower maintenance costs: EVs have fewer moving parts and do not require services such as engine oil changes, spark plug replacements, or exhaust system maintenance.
Long-term savings: The combined savings from lower energy and maintenance costs can offset the higher purchase price.
11. Battery replacement costs as much as buying a new car
Although battery replacement is often seen as a major concern, it is uncommon during the normal ownership period. Modern EV batteries are built for long service lives and are typically backed by manufacturer warranties of around 8 years or 160,000 km (depending on the model), significantly reducing the financial risk to owners. In addition, battery technology continues to improve, and declining battery costs are expected to make any future replacements more affordable.
12. Need to find authorised service centers in case the vehicle has issues
While EVs typically require servicing at authorised service centers rather than local mechanics, they generally need less frequent maintenance than ICE vehicles because they have fewer moving parts and fewer wear-and-tear components. Most routine issues can be addressed during scheduled service visits, and manufacturers are steadily expanding their authorised service networks as EV adoption grows. As a result, although service options may currently be more limited in some areas, the lower servicing requirements help reduce the overall inconvenience for many owners.
Final Words
Buying a vehicle is a big step for most of us, whether it’s a petrol/diesel vehicle or an EV. We hope to have addressed major areas where we think you have a lack of understanding when it comes to EVs. If you know any other such myths or doubts related to EVs that are worth addressing, hit the comment section and let us know.
