RAC issues alert to UK drivers over EV charging speed

RAC issues alert to UK drivers over EV charging speedThe motoring company posted a video addressing a 'myth' for driversCommentsLifestyleAmber O'Connor Money and Lifestyle reporter U35s14:13, 22 Apr 2026View 2 ImagesThe RAC issued advice for UK drivers (stock photo)(Image: Getty)The RAC has said it will 'set the record straight' for drivers who believe 'Electric vehicles (EVs) take forever to charge.' EVs are becoming increasingly popular, with data showing there are over 1.75 million fully electric cars on UK roads.‌According to motoring experts, EVs typically have higher purchase costs but lower running costs. Many drivers may consider switching in the next few years, as no new pure petrol or diesel cars will be sold from 2035 - all new cars and vans will need to be 100% zero emission.‌Despite the growing popularity of EVs, the RAC says there are myths surrounding their usage. For instance, some drivers may believe 'EVs take forever to charge', but the motoring company has shared advice for motorists.‌In a Facebook post shared on the RAC's page, the company invited James, Business Director at Zapmap, to 'bust this myth and set the record straight.' In the video, James said: "Most EVs charge whilst their owners are sleeping, meaning it actually takes less time for the owner to plug and unplug their car than it does for say a petrol engine driver to go to a petrol station and wait whilst their vehicle fills up.‌"If you have to charge your car whilst out on the road with an ultra-rapid charger, some of those can fill in as little as twenty minutes. So by the time you've gone into the service station, grabbed a coffee, gone to the loo, and come back outside to send that final WhatsApp message, your car is already charged."How long does it take to charge an EV?The RAC website says: "The time it takes to charge an electric car depends on the size of the battery and the power the charger...