Do electric cars really break down more often? A new mega-survey from What Car? magazine surveyed nearly 30,000 drivers to measure which drivetrains end up in tow most often. The result? The mantra of fewer moving parts has been overturned by a tow truck—but before you pull the charging cable out of the wall, let's look at the numbers.
The British, together with MotorEasy pored through the two-year service records of 30,000 owners. The questionnaire included everything from broken LEDs to the classic "does not ignite". The survey covered petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric models up to five years old, i.e. fresh cars and not aging fossil-fueled dinosaurs. So – Do electric cars really break down more often?
The plain truth of simple numbers: Do electric cars really break down more often?
- 16,8 % of electric vehicles have been stranded on the side of the road in the last 24 months.
- 15,4 % The diesel engine was sending desperate signals to the mechanic.
- 14,1 % hybrids decided to go into forced dormancy.
- Only 10,7 % The gas station driver was betrayed.
To put it more clearly: approximately one in six electricians failed during this period, while the average gas station failed only one in ten.
Why EV collapse often means driving a truck?
Do electric cars really break down more often? When battery (typically 50–100 kWh) discharges or the electronics freezes faster than Windows 95, the rescue operation is more complex than with a classic engine. What 40,6 % EVs had to be put on a truck, while "only" suffered such a fate 29,6 % petrol stations. The reason? EVs, due to their electric motors, simply don't get towed by every other "car".
"A common misconception is that electric cars break down less often – the statistics are currently slightly against them," warns Jakob Pfaudler, head of the British AA.
Who pays the bill? Surprisingly – mostly no one
Although it does EVs break down more often, repairs usually don't hit your wallet: 89 % The service technicians fixed the errors completely free of charge, only 3 % owners paid more than €1,700 (≈ £1,500). Hybrids are even more convenient – 91 % repairs are free, but diesels, ironically, lead in terms of high waste.
Which models are (according to What Car? poll) most “allergic” to operation? Do electric cars really break down more often?
| Drive | Model (year) | Reliability rating* |
|---|---|---|
| EV | MG 4 (2022–) | 63,8 % |
| Vauxhall Corsa Electric (2019–) | 72,2 % | |
| Porsche Taycan (2019–) | 76,2 % | |
| Diesel | Kia Sportage (2016–2021) | 66,2 % |
| VW Golf (2020–) | 70,4 % | |
| BMW 5-Series (2017–2023) | 79,8 % |
*Lower % = more failures. All models are up to five years old; rating based on 29,967 owner responses.
Irony with less moving parts
Engineers have long convinced us that it has electric motor some 200 fewer moving parts than a classic V-6. It does have them – but no gasket leaks as spectacularly as a chip that decides not to talk to the battery manager today. Modern software sometimes causes more gray hair than the turbo lag of an old diesel.
What does this tell us about the future?
- Development of fast charging stations (up to 350 kW / 470 hp of electrical power) must be accompanied by the development of more robust electronics.
- Services they need more high-voltage gurus than mechanics with a sledgehammer.
- Drivers: update your software regularly and make sure you don't get your cables "locked" in the charging column - a surprisingly common reason for calling for help. So, a stuck cable.
Conclusion: electric cars most often fail due to a discharged “battery”
Do electric cars really break down more often? !Although electric cars currently break down more often than their fossil-fueled counterparts, the vast majority of repairs are paid for out of the manufacturer's pocket, warranty or a kind-hearted dealer. Diesels turn out to be the second biggest "sick", but usually with more expensive operations. Gasoline - an old, tried and tested recipe - remains the statistical winner with the fewest unscheduled stops. But this will not stop the trends: every year there are more electric and hybrid models on the roads, and the data will quickly be mixed with better batteries and software. For now - if you are about to buy an EV - have a good assistance and a long extension cord at hand, but don't forget: if you do get stranded on the side of the road, there is 89% probability, that the bill will be exactly €0That's no bad consolation at a time when coffee at a gas station costs more than a liter of fuel.