When choosing a car, every decision comes with its pros and cons. It all depends on the priorities we set and the budget we have. Electric cars are now so common in Latvia that they are no longer considered “exotic,” and people don’t stare when they see one on the streets—or at least not as often as they did five or seven years ago.

Although electric cars have been widely available in Latvia for some time, many myths about them persist. However, we now have enough knowledge and experience to either dispel or, in some cases, confirm these myths. Here, I will summarize the most popular myths and provide a brief, simplified response based on industry experience.

Myth No. 1: Electric cars are more expensive than conventional cars

This is often true but is a very general assumption. It depends on the car class the buyer prefers. Quality electric cars can be found on the market that are cheaper than internal combustion engine (ICE) cars. As with conventional cars, the range of electric cars is very wide—from luxury to everyday vehicles.

Most importantly, it is reasonable to assume that the total cost of ownership (TCO) of an electric car—which includes purchase, fuel, operation, taxes, etc.—will be lower than that of a comparable class of ICE car. While this may be influenced by electricity prices, the basic assumption that the TCO of an electric car is lower holds true.

Myth No. 2: Electric cars depreciate faster

Yes, this is generally true, but it depends on the car model. This perception is largely due to concerns about battery life and uncertainty regarding the actual capacity of a used electric car battery. However, technologies are available that successfully restore battery capacity to its original level. As electric car and battery technology advance and demand stabilizes, depreciation rates for new electric cars are expected to slow, eventually matching those of ICE cars. Conversely, as demand for ICE cars decreases, their depreciation may accelerate.

Moreover, as countries, including Latvia, move towards zero-emission targets, taxes on ICE cars may increase, raising their cost and boosting demand for electric cars, which could reduce their depreciation. These assumptions are based on market logic.

Myth No. 3: There are not enough charging stations in Latvia

The network of charging stations in Latvia is developing rapidly and is already adequate for the current number of electric cars. Fierce competition in the EV charging industry drives the construction of new stations, and this trend will continue. While some areas still lack sufficient charging stations, this is a temporary issue due to the fast-paced development. Currently, there are around 8,850 registered electric cars and 920 public charging stations in Latvia, equating to about 9.6 cars per station, comparable to Western Europe. Although Latvia has fewer fast charging stations (only about 14% of all stations), they are being built quickly.

Latvia has a unique situation: fewer people live in private homes compared to Western Europe. According to Eurostat data for 2021, around 65% of Latvia’s population lives in apartments, compared to the EU average of 46%, 56% in Germany, 33% in France, and 22% in Belgium. This means Latvia needs proportionally more public charging stations than countries with higher percentages of private homes. Energy companies are aware of this and are planning the development of charging stations accordingly.

Myth No. 4: Electric car batteries catch fire

Yes, they do, but such instances are extremely rare and draw disproportionate attention. Statistics show that ICE cars catch fire much more often than electric cars, sometimes dozens of times more. Petrol ignites very easily, which skews the statistics in favor of combustion engines. However, the likelihood of seeing a burning car in your lifetime is low, and the chances of seeing a burning electric car are even lower. While it is true that a burning electric car is more difficult to extinguish due to the nature of lithium batteries, such incidents are very rare.

Myth No. 5: Electric car batteries lose charge faster in winter

Yes, this is correct due to the laws of physics—batteries lose charge faster in cold weather and take longer to charge. However, this is unlikely to be a decisive factor. Battery capacity is increasing, and the potential loss of 10% in cold weather or even 30% in very cold weather is unlikely to critically impact the car’s usability or cost-effectiveness. These losses also depend on the model and age of the car. Stories of electric cars not heating up in winter, forcing drivers to wear gloves and look through frosted windscreens, are likely myths.

Myth No. 6: Electric cars are no more environmentally friendly than internal combustion engine cars

This is not true. While the manufacturing processes for electric cars involve various environmental considerations, studies show conclusively that electric cars are significantly more environmentally friendly than ICE cars. Additionally, the source of electricity is crucial—in Latvia and the Baltic countries, the move towards renewable energy will make electric car operation increasingly eco-friendly.

Myth No. 7: The benefits of electric cars in traffic will soon be lifted

It is possible that benefits such as free parking or the right to use public transport lanes could be lifted in the future, but this is unlikely to happen soon. This decision is mainly political and depends on the share of electric cars in the country, which is currently low in Latvia. Such benefits would logically be revoked when electric cars are numerous enough to compete for parking spaces and clog public transport lanes. As of the second quarter of this year, electric cars accounted for just over 1% of the total number of cars in Latvia.