Electric cars are dangerous, bad for the environment and impossible to use in the outback. These are just some of the claims circulating among Australians sceptical of the switch to EVs, new research finds.
EV misinformation can shape people’s perceptions, judgements and decisions about car purchases, potentially complicating efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and mitigate climate change and health impacts from air pollution.
The study, recently published in the journal Research Energy and Social Science , was based on in-depth interviews with 122 Australian consumers, and led by researchers from the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).
Study co-author, UTS Business School Professor of Behaviour and Social Change, Ross Gordon , said many myths develop around a “kernel of truth”: a genuine issue, limitation or concern that is taken out of context, oversimplified or exaggerated, or combined with unsupported claims. This can make the resulting misinformation more credible and persuasive than a more obviously false claim.
“Some misinformation also originates as disinformation, which is false or misleading information deliberately created and spread to deceive or disrupt. It can then become misinformation when people encounter and share it without necessarily intending to deceive others,” Professor Gordon said.
“Our research suggests misinformation is a prominent part of the EV debate in Australia, with people coming across the same anti-EV stories again and again. These stories often grow from misunderstandings, outdated or distorted information or half-truths, and sometimes even jokes and memes that are taken seriously.
“Battery fires, charging access, limited range and the environmental impacts of manufacturing are legitimate issues to examine. However, a kernel of truth can become misleading when a real limitation, isolated incident or unresolved concern is presented without context, generalised to all EVs, or used to support broader technology claims that are not consistent with the best available evidence,” he said.
The researchers examined the social and cultural processes through which EV misinformation is shared, interpreted and validated. They introduce the concept of “EV misinformation communities” to describe how misinformation can acquire community-like qualities through shared narratives, trusted networks and reassurance. These are not necessarily fixed, bounded or formally organised groups.
For example, the study found that claims encountered on social media became common currency for discussing EV safety in face-to-face interactions. This included claims about the frequency and risk of EV battery fires, with one participant expressing concern about “a car bursting into flames in the front yard”.
Other participants expressed concern that EV manufacturing processes were “raping and pillaging the earth,” that EV drivers were “people that can't drive or are often in accidents,” and the lack of engine noise was “going to lead to a lot of people getting run over”.
“These stories circulate online and offline, portraying EVs as dangerous, impractical, expensive or poorly suited to Australian lifestyles. Repetition through trusted relationships and familiar media can make the claims appear credible, reinforcing concerns, fears of change, as well as distrust of government and market actors,” said Professor Gordon.
“For some participants, these stories offered reassurance and an alternative to the message that the transition to EVs is inevitable, making hesitation or continued reliance on familiar petrol and diesel vehicles feel reasonable,” he said.
The study suggests that addressing EV misinformation will require more than fact-checking or simply providing additional information.
“Rather than simply providing more information to sceptics, policymakers and industry need to address people’s underlying concerns about cost, control, trust, fairness and lifestyle. They should also work through trusted messengers and networks and give Australians opportunities to have positive, real-world experiences with EVs,” Professor Gordon said.
Although EV uptake is increasing, adoption remains uneven across countries and consumer groups, and Australia has been comparatively slow to adopt EVs.
Building trust will require credible information alongside practical responses to genuine barriers, including affordability, vehicle choice and charging access, particularly in rural and regional areas. The researchers argue that a fair and inclusive transition must also create alternative sources of trust, validation and reassurance around EVs.
Energy Research & Social Science
Survey
People
‘Towards electric vehicle misinformation communities: Shared narratives, networked validation, and reassurance among Australian consumers
3-Aug-2026
The authors declare that they have no competing financial interests or personal relationships that have influenced the research reported in this paper.