According to a recent report from the American organization Consumer’s Reports, electric cars are generally less reliable than thermal cars. The problem is concerns related to the battery and charging, but some manufacturers like Tesla are still doing better than others.
If the success of the electric car continues, many motorists are still afraid to get started, due to the price and the range. However, we know that these fears are less and less founded today, since prices are falling and charging is no longer a problem at all.
Average reliability
In addition, electric cars are as safe as others, as proven by recent crash tests carried out by EuroNCAP, while the cost of insurance is lower. However, it is true that everything is not perfect either. And for good reason, a recent study carried out by the American organization Consumer’s Reports indicates that zero-emission models (exhaust) would generally be less reliable than thermal cars.
Indeed, according to the report, electric cars would have 79% more problems than internal combustion models on average. But it’s even worse for plug-in hybrid cars, with 146% more problems, compared to 26% fewer for simple hybrids. But what is the reason for these disparities against electric models? Well, you have to take a look at the battery and charging side.
According to Consumer’s Reports, these two points are particularly problematic with electric cars. For the organization, this is explained in particular by the fact that manufacturers are rushing a little too much to launch their new cars, even if it means botching the development of certain elements yet crucial. However, not everyone is in the same boat, and some are doing a little better than others on this point.
This is for example the case of Tesla, which encounters fewer problems in this area than most other brands. Moreover, Consumer’s Reports even praises its Model 3 and Model Y for their reliability, since the sedan and the SUV have greatly improved and are today the best-sellers of the American firm. But be careful, because everything is not perfect yet.
Some improvements
Indeed, Tesla cars are not without flaws. These latter particularly concern structure, painting and finishes. There are also some concerns related to air conditioning, but they are not as serious as those that would concern the battery, motor and charging on other models. However, while the Model 3 and Model Y are average in terms of reliability, the Model S and Model X are below.
The study specifies that most “historical” manufacturers often have problems with motors and batteries, while Tesla more often has finishing problems. In all cases, the manufacturer’s warranty can take these problems into account, even more so if it concerns motors or batteries, often guaranteed for 8 years.
Fortunately, there has been some improvement over the years, as noted by the American organization. The latter cites in particular the example of the Ford Mustang Mach-E, whose battery and charging have been reworked. The SUV is now average in terms of reliability. But it is the Japanese brands that are at the top in this area, and in particular Toyota and Lexus, which currently offer almost no electric vehicles.
The first currently only markets the bZ4X, while the second recently launched its UX 300e and its RZ 450e. Note that the ranking only concerns the American market, and it is therefore normal not to find any European cars, since Citroën, Renault or Peugeot are not currently sold there. Moreover, European manufacturers are positioned quite low, apart from Mini which comes 3rd. You then have to go down to 9th position to find BMW, with i4s and other iXs which are average.
However, if the reliability of electrics still remains quite disappointing for certain models, their maintenance remains a little less expensive. Especially since manufacturers continue to progress over the years. Thus, driving an EV is always less expensive than thermal, and this could continue on this momentum, while the price of electric cars is expected to fall.