1/5 of Surveyed UK Drivers Think you Can Get an Electric Shock from Washing EVs

­Of all the reasons to refrain from going electric, this is probably the dumbest one.

Don’t get me wrong. There’s plenty of good reasons to not make the switch – range anxiety (though this is rapidly being stamped out), price concerns, and even apprehension over ghastly, nigh-unquenchable EV car fires.

But to find out that over 20% of UK drivers in a recent survey were afraid to wash EVs over alleged electrocution hazards is a tad worrying – not for the cars, but for the misinformation out there!

UK car care brand Autoglym surveyed over 1,000 UK motorists, specifically whether they agreed or disagreed with the statement, “If I were to wash an electric car, I fear there might be a risk of receiving an electric shock.”

Leading the witness, perhaps, but you’d think they’d forthwith dismiss that idea, putting it in the same category as water causing humans to melt, Wicked Witch of the West-style.

Instead, 46% of respondents aged between 25 and 34 agreed with the statement, along with 40% of 18-24 year-olds. On the other hand, only 8% of drivers over 55 agreed.

And while you might think city-dwellers – amongst the top consumers of EVs – were more urbane and informed, the survey revealed the exact opposite, with 46% of London residents agreeing vs only 7% in Wales.

Of course, EVs are rigorously tested to ensure they’re insulated and watertight, and they’re inured against far worse than a car wash.

As journalist Quentin Willson points out, "Getting a shock when cleaning an EV is a very old myth and completely false."

So no, you can happily hand-wash your EV with a clear mind.