1. Electric Cars Have Short Ranges

Myth: Electric vehicles (EVs) can’t travel far on a single charge, making them impractical for long journeys.

Reality: While early EVs had limited ranges, modern models in 2025 boast impressive capabilities. Many can travel between 300 to 500 miles on a single charge, with high-end versions exceeding 600 miles. Advancements in battery technology and the expansion of fast-charging networks have significantly reduced range anxiety.

2. Self-Driving Cars Are Fully Autonomous

Myth: By now, cars can drive themselves without any human intervention.

Reality: Despite significant progress, most self-driving cars today are classified as Level 2 or 3 autonomy, meaning they require human oversight. Fully autonomous vehicles (Level 5) are still in testing phases and aren’t yet available for public use.

3. Electric Cars Are More Expensive in the Long Run

Myth: The high cost of EV batteries and potential replacements make them pricier over time compared to traditional vehicles.

Reality: Although the initial purchase price of an EV can be higher, lower maintenance costs, tax incentives, and decreasing battery prices often make them more affordable over their lifespan compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

4. Synthetic Fuels Will Save Gas-Powered Cars

Myth: Synthetic fuels will allow traditional gas-powered cars to remain relevant and environmentally friendly.

Reality: While synthetic fuels are being developed to reduce emissions, they remain expensive and are unlikely to become a mass-market solution. The automotive industry is increasingly focusing on EV adoption and renewable energy integration as more viable paths forward.

5. Manual Transmissions Are More Fuel Efficient

Myth: Driving a manual transmission car saves more fuel than an automatic.

Reality: Modern automatic transmissions, including continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) and dual-clutch systems, have become more fuel-efficient and responsive than manual gearboxes, debunking this long-standing belief.

6. Bigger Engines Always Mean Better Performance

Myth: A larger engine guarantees superior performance.

Reality: With advancements like turbocharging, hybrid systems, and refined engine designs, smaller engines can now deliver equal or even better performance than their larger counterparts, often with improved fuel efficiency.

7. You Need to Warm Up Your Car Before Driving

Myth: It’s essential to let your car idle and warm up before driving, especially in cold weather.

Reality: Modern engines are designed to perform efficiently almost immediately. Letting a car idle for extended periods before driving is unnecessary and wastes fuel.

8. Electric Vehicles Aren’t Environmentally Friendly Due to Battery Production

Myth: The environmental impact of battery production negates the benefits of driving an EV.

Reality: While battery production does have environmental impacts, the overall lifecycle emissions of EVs, even when accounting for electricity generation, are significantly lower than those of ICE vehicles. This advantage grows as power grids increasingly utilize renewable energy sources.

9. Regularly Changing Oil Is Necessary for All Cars

Myth: All vehicles require frequent oil changes to maintain engine health.

Reality: This myth lingers from the ICE era. EVs don’t need oil changes, and even modern gas cars require fewer changes thanks to advanced lubricants and engine technologies.

10. Flying Cars Are Just Around the Corner

Myth: We’re on the brink of a future where flying cars are commonplace.

Reality: While prototypes and concepts exist, flying cars remain in niche markets and face significant challenges in regulation, infrastructure, and affordability. They are not yet a mainstream reality.

In conclusion, as the automotive landscape continues to evolve, it’s essential to stay informed and question long-held beliefs. Embracing accurate information ensures we make the best choices for our driving futures.

The post Debunking the Top 10 Automotive Myths of 2025 appeared first on ROI TV.

eVTOL: The Future of Urban Mobility or Just a Fancy Uber?

Joby’s electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle is shaping up to be a real contender in this brave new world of skyward urban commuting. The company claims that once their air taxis take flight commercially—anticipated as early as 2025—the price could rival that of Uber Black. So for the same price as a premium ride on the ground, you could be soaring above traffic, sipping champagne (okay, probably just water) as you bid farewell to the infernal honking below. It’s all very ‘The Jetsons’ meets New York rush hour.

But there’s more than just fantasy at play here. Industry experts are pegging the air taxi market to hit a staggering $65 billion by 2028. It sounds bonkers now, but in a world where we pay extra for oversized avocado toast, maybe paying a bit more to glide above it all doesn’t sound so mad. Joby, along with competitors, are banking on it.

Follow the Money: Major Players Betting Big

If you’re wondering who’s taking this flying taxi lark seriously, allow me to introduce some familiar names. In the last two decades, $22 billion has been poured into eVTOL development by major players like Uber, Stellantis, and Honeywell. Even Toyota has forked over nearly $400 million to Joby, giving it the financial clout to make flying taxis not just a pipe dream but a near reality. And then there’s Delta Air Lines, which—because why not—has thrown $60 million into the mix to help Joby launch this ambitious plan.

The question remains: will all this investment pay off, or are we just funding very expensive flying toys? Time will tell, but one thing is certain—the skies will soon be a lot busier.

Fast and Electric: More Than Just a Gimmick

Joby’s eVTOL isn’t just designed for a quick jaunt across the city. The aircraft boasts a 150-mile range on a single charge, meaning it can handle multiple urban trips before needing to juice up. And with six motors powered by four batteries, this machine is built with enough redundancy to keep you airborne even if one of the batteries throws a tantrum. Not that you’d notice, of course. You’ll be too busy marveling at the fact that a journey from Manhattan to JFK Airport now takes just seven minutes. Seven minutes! You can barely queue up for an airport sandwich in that time.

Of course, none of this would work without the infrastructure. The cost of converting heliports into vertiports (because why not invent new words for things we already have) is estimated between $3.5 million and $12 million per site. That’s the price of making sure your futuristic air taxi has a place to land and recharge.

What’s Next? The Sky’s the Limit (Literally)

Although Joby expects to take to the skies by 2025, don’t expect to see your neighborhood buzzing with air taxis just yet. Large-scale rollouts likely won’t happen until 2028, assuming the FAA doesn’t get cold feet. By then, the world could be unrecognizable—or at least more congested at 1,000 feet.

So, while we’re not quite ready for Blade Runner skies, we’re much closer than you might think. Who knows? In a few years, you might find yourself explaining to your incredulous mates how you swapped an Uber ride for a quick dash through the skies in an electric flying taxi.

The future of urban mobility is hurtling toward us faster than we ever imagined. Whether you see it as progress or a recipe for mid-air collisions, there’s no denying that eVTOLs are set to change how we move. Just don’t forget to look up.
Nik J Miles

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