EV myths, checked

Some things you hear about electric cars are true, some are out of date, and some were never true. Here's each one with the numbers we use.

“WV runs on coal, so an EV is just as dirty.”

Not true

WV sits on the regional PJM grid, which mixes coal, gas, nuclear and renewables. On that mix, a typical EV puts out about 59% less CO₂ per mile than a 25-mpg gas car, winter included. Even if every kWh came from coal, it would still come out about 18% lower.

“The battery dies after a few years and costs a fortune.”

Not true

Batteries lose about 2% of their range a year on average, and the battery carries a warranty of 8 years / 100,000 miles (federal minimum; some makers offer 10/100k). Replacements outside recalls are rare. After 8 years, at that pace a 300-mile EV still has about 252 miles of range.

“You'll get stranded in the cold.”

Partly true

Cold really does cost range — about a quarter on a freezing day. But you start every morning full if you charge at home, and most daily drives use a small slice of the battery. Stranding risk is about long winter trips, which take planning. More on winter.

“EVs can't handle WV hills.”

Not true

Climbing uses extra energy in any car. Going back down, an EV recovers some of it with Regenerative brakingLifting off the pedal slows the car by turning the motor into a generator, putting energy back in the battery — so brake pads last much longer.All terms →, which a gas car can't do. Steep round trips cost some range, but less than people expect. Electric motors also have full pulling power from a standstill.

“EVs cost more to insure.”

Partly true

Insurance mostly follows the car's price. An EV priced like a gas car costs about the same to insure. Some brands (Tesla, Rivian, Lucid, Polestar) cost more because of their repair networks. We add 15% for those brands in our math.

“EVs lose value faster.”

Partly true

Early EVs did, partly because the $7,500 tax credit and big Tesla price cuts pushed down what used ones sold for. After 5 years we assume an EV keeps 39–53% of its list price, against 50–58% for a gas car. The credit is gone and 2026 used-EV prices have firmed, so we show a range rather than one number.

“There's a big tax credit for buying one.”

Not true

Not anymore. The federal $7,500 credit ended for vehicles bought after September 30, 2025, and the home-charger credit ended June 30, 2026. Some WV utilities still offer charger rebates — see charging at home.

“Charging is cheaper than gas.”

Partly true

Charging at home costs about $5.15 per 100 miles, against $14.35 in a 25-mpg car. But fast charging on the road costs about $19.07 — more than gas. Your mix of home and road charging decides the savings.