With electric vehicles gaining popularity, a common concern for potential buyers is whether electric cars break down more often than gas-powered cars. In this article, we’ll examine the reliability of electric cars and how they compare to conventional vehicles.
Are electric cars less reliable than gas cars?
In general, electric cars tend to be just as reliable, if not more so, than comparable gas-powered models. According to consumer reports data, electric vehicles have fewer problems on average than gas vehicles in the first 1-3 years of ownership. This is likely due to electric motors having far fewer moving parts than internal combustion engines.
For example, a Tesla Model 3 has just 20 moving parts in its drivetrain compared to hundreds in a gas car. With fewer components comes fewer things that can go wrong. EV batteries and electronics can fail, but when looking at the entire vehicle, EVs tend to hold up well over the first several years of operation.
What are the most common electric car problems?
While overall reliability is solid, electric cars are not problem-free. Some of the most common issues reported in EVs include:
- Battery degradation – All lithium-ion batteries lose capacity over time. After 8-10 years, significant range loss can occur.
- Electronics glitches – Software errors or failures in screens, sensors, etc. As with all modern cars, EVs have a lot of electronics.
- Motor and transmission issues – Though rare, motors, inverters, and single or multi-speed transmissions can malfunction.
- Suspension and steering component wear – Parts like ball joints and tie rods wear out over time just as with gas cars.
- Brakes – brake pads and rotors experience typical wear from use.
Problems with battery cooling systems, onboard chargers, and DC-DC converters can also arise occasionally. But in general, drivetrain issues are uncommon due to the simplicity and durability of electric motors versus complex gasoline engines.
How reliable are the batteries in electric cars?
The lithium-ion battery packs in EVs are typically very durable if properly manufactured. Battery degradation does gradually happen over time and use, but catastrophic failures are rare.
Most electric car manufacturers offer long battery warranties to cover defects and early capacity loss. For example:
- Tesla – 8 years or 100,000 – 150,000 miles
- Hyundai/Kia – 10 years / 100,000 miles
- VW – 8 years / 100,000 miles
- GM – 8 years / 100,000 miles
These warranties cover any battery defect or capacity loss greater than 30%. So even once the warranty expires, significant degradation is uncommon within the first 10 years assuming proper care and charging habits.
What is the typical electric car maintenance schedule?
Overall, electric cars tend to require less periodic maintenance than gas cars. Here is a comparison of suggested maintenance intervals for a typical EV versus a gas vehicle:
| Maintenance Item | Electric Car | Gas Car |
|---|---|---|
| Oil changes | Never | 5,000 – 10,000 miles |
| Engine air filter | Never | 20,000 – 30,000 miles |
| Spark plugs | Never | 30,000 – 100,000 miles |
| Coolant flush | 150,000 miles | 50,000 – 100,000 miles |
| Transmission fluid | 150,000 miles | 50,000 – 100,000 miles |
| Brake fluid flush | 2 years | 2 years |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000 – 30,000 miles | 15,000 – 30,000 miles |
| Tire rotation | 6,000 – 8,000 miles | 6,000 – 8,000 miles |
| Brake pads | 50,000+ miles | 50,000+ miles |
As demonstrated, basic maintenance like fluid changes, filters, and spark plugs are needed far less often, if at all in electric cars. Brakes also tend to last longer due to regenerative braking reducing wear on the friction brakes.
Do electric cars have more problems in cold weather?
Electric cars can lose some range in very cold temperatures, but they do not have more breakdowns or mechanical problems in cold weather than gas cars. In fact, the simplicity of electric drivetrains allows them to operate reliably even in extreme cold.
The main cold weather considerations are reduced range due to battery chemistry changes and greater power demands from heating the cabin. But modern thermal management and battery chemistry improvements have helped minimize cold weather range impacts.
In real world testing, electric cars operate reliably even in frigid temperatures far below zero degrees Fahrenheit (-17C), with only modest range impacts once warmed up. Their mechanical simplicity pays dividends in cold operating conditions.
How expensive are electric car repairs?
EV maintenance costs are lower overall, but some repairs unique to electric cars can be expensive if out of warranty. For example:
- Battery replacement – $5,000 – $15,000
- Drive unit – $5,000 – $8,000
- Onboard charger – $2,000 – $4,000
- DC-DC converter – $1,500 – $2,000
Labor and diagnostics for electrical systems may also run higher than for gas car repairs. However, these types of major repairs are uncommon within the new car warranty period. And over the lifetime of the vehicle, the reduced maintenance is likely to more than offset potentially higher repair costs on some components.
Are certain electric car models more reliable?
Looking at recent reliability surveys and data, some EV models stand out for long-term dependability:
- Tesla Model 3/Y – Strong reliability reported by owners, especially for drivetrain.
- Toyota RAV4 Prime – Toyota’s hybrid expertise applied to a plug-in hybrid SUV.
- Polestar 2 – Newer brand but shares technology with Volvo which scores well for reliability.
- Ford Mustang Mach E – Relatively trouble-free launch for Ford’s important new EV crossover.
- Audi E-Tron – Top 10 in Consumer Reports 2021 reliability survey.
There are also some lower-ranking EV models, but overall electric vehicles have proven just as dependable as gas models. As the technology matures, reliability should continue improving across most brands.
Conclusion
While no vehicle is immune from potential problems, modern electric cars have demonstrated excellent reliability comparable to or better than gas vehicles. Factors like their simple drivetrains, lack of engine maintenance, and protective battery warranties give EVs an edge in dependability.
Battery degradation happens slowly over time, but catastrophic failures are rare. Most EV owners enjoy many years and miles of trouble-free driving with minimal maintenance required. Concerns about breakdowns and repair costs should not deter buyers – today’s electric cars are highly reliable forms of transportation.