Electric vehicle myths: more than half Australians wrongly believe EVs are more likely to catch fire, survey shows | Electric vehicles

More than a third of the Australians believe wrong information about Electric vehiclesWhile half of nearly half of them accept the legend that is likely to satisfy the battery -run cars.

Researchers say the interventions that use factors and caatbots artificial intelligence may help reduce wrong beliefs, but those who have a strong “conspiracy mentality” are difficult to persuade.

Researchers from the University of Queensland and three German institutions released the results late on Monday, after more than 6,300 people in Australia, the United States, Germany and Austria.

Their results reflect the concerns in the NRMA study, which found that the wrong information about the battery safety was preventing car drivers from investing in low -emissions cars.

The search that the peers of UQ reviewed, It was published in the magazine Springer Nature Energy JournalThe results of four surveys included, the first of which was the non -electric vehicle drivers for their opinions on the wrong information about cars.

Despite the non -strict allegations, more than one of every three Australians on average went with assurances (35 %) – a little less than the average in all four countries (36 %).

The incorrect data gained that EVS is more likely to shoot from gasoline or diesel cars, gained the highest acceptance of Australians surveyed (47 %), while 44 % also believe that EV batteries are not intentionally updated.

Dr. Chris Priter of the University of Queensland and co -author Dr. Chris Pretter said other claims about manufacturing exceeds low electric car emissions (35 %) and reported (26 %).

“The wrong information that we tested included that EVS is more likely to fire from gasoline cars, not producing emissions and emitting the electromagnetic fields that cause health – all wrong claims clearly.”

“We know that this type of wrong information exists and is circulated, but the volume of acceptance relates and constitutes a major challenge to global transition to more sustainable transportation.”

The study found that accepting EV’s wrong information was higher among people with a “conspiracy mindset”, although the belief rates were also higher among those who suffer from weaker environmental views, women and the most older participants.

The participants also conducted their perceptions after a three -round conversation on electric cars with ChatGPT from Openai and after reading realistic newspaper claims to the US Department of Energy.

The study found that both interventions provided “modest increases in the supportive feelings of EV.”

Brett said this represents a way to research in the future.

He said: “Given the global need to move towards transportation options more sustainable, it is important to deal with the wrong information rates about energy -saving technologies such as EVS.”

The results come days after the NRMA report, prepared by IPSOS, and found that two out of three Australians remained concerned about the fire and safety car battery fires despite low accident reports.

Eight electric vehicle fires were reported in Australia until November 2024, according to EV Firesafe, including one of an unknown cause.