EVs break down half as often as internal combustion cars, but still have 1 weakness
Engineers have long been predicting that, with so few moving parts, EVs will someday be much more reliable than their internal-combustion-engine-powered counterparts. Well, it looks like “someday” is here. An extensive study by the German Automobile Club found that recent EVs break down less than half as often as their internal combustion counterparts.
First, let’s look at past results. This same club did a 2020 study on EVs made in the previous five years and found that 8.5 out of 1,000 had truly left their drivers stranded. Combustion cars suffered from 12.9 breakdowns per 1,000. Both rates have decreased, though EV break downs have gone down considerably.
The 2021 study found EV’s suffered a break down rate of 4.3/1,000 while ICE vehicles came in at 8.2/1,000. In 2022, EVs plummeted to 1.7/1,000. ICE vehicles fell to 5.4/1,000.
So what about the most recent study? It focused on EVS built between 2020 and 2022 broke down 4.2/1,000 cars. Combustion cars climbed to 10.4/1,000.
Why do new EV and internal combustion cars break down?
The German automobile club found the most common failure of newer cars–regardless of powertrain–was a dead 12-volt battery. It was the culprit of 45% of internal combustion vehicle break downs and 50% of EV break downs.
I know what you’re thinking: Why do EVs need a 12-volt battery? This smaller battery runs all the systems on the low voltage side of the car. It’s responsible for unlocking doors and powering headlights when the “ignition” (the high voltage system) is turned off.
In a regular internal combustion car, a dead battery can mean the battery is worn out, or that battery charging system components–such as the alternator–are worn out. With many mechanics recommending you replace your 12-volt battery after two or three years, it makes sense it can be the reliability Achilles Heel of even a five-year-old car.
So how would the 12-volt battery in an EV fail? Well if it gets low enough, the vehicle should automatically recharge it from the high voltage battery. But calibrating this system has proven tricky. Recharge the battery too often and you wear it out, but not often enough and it leaves you stranded. This may be why the Hyundai Ioniq 5 had a breakdown rate of 18.3/1,000 cars in 2021 and 22.4/1,000 cars in 2022. But automakers are learning quickly and fine-tuning these systems. The Ioniq 5 currently has a recall aimed at solving the problem completely.
