How Often Do Electric Cars Break Down - Northwest Collision Center (2024)

Just like other electrical gadgets and appliances, electric cars are susceptible to wear and tear. However, one of the many advantages of using an electric vehicle is that you don’t have to use complicated parts such as the clutch, starter, internal combustion engine, radiator, or exhaust. These parts can cause any gasoline-powered car to break down. Without them, these factors may lead to a reduced chance of your electric vehicle breaking down.

Of course, electric cars also have parts that gas-powered ones don’t; these different parts lead to slower wear and tear when compared to regular vehicles. One example of this is the brake of the EV. The car activates the brake through regenerative braking, making it less prone to early depreciation.

Maintaining Electric Cars

Before you buy an electric car, the first question that may pop in your head might be, “What is the life expectancy of an electric car?” Well, this depends on its maintenance and how you generally use it. One of the main reasons people switch to electric vehicles is that it does not require much to maintain and regularly service.

The main problem that you need to focus on is when the battery runs out. Replacing an electric car battery can be costly. That’s why you have to know the range of your car, so you will be able to estimate how long the battery will last.

The electric car battery is more likely to break down the more you use it. Keeping your electric vehicle in its best shape will lead to minor wear and tear, causing a breakdown. The condition of your EV and its battery is one of the significant reasons to keep it in the best condition.

Although insurance for electric vehicles may cost more than regular vehicles, this does not mean that they break more frequently. This difference is because electric cars have fewer options for repair than hybrid or gas-powered vehicles, making them much harder to repair. An occurrence that requires a quick repair for a regular car may need a major replacement for an EV.

Do Electric Cars Break Down Less Than Regular Cars?

The quick answer to that question is no. Your speed and the way you drive your car affects the range of your electric vehicle. Not using regenerative braking on urban roads will cause your range to go up. The purpose of regenerative braking is to turn its energy into electricity, which the car can use to recharge its battery.

Because your dashboard can inform you how much charge you have left, you have the advantage of minimizing the chance of your battery draining in the middle of nowhere. Because of these advancements, electric car owners are knowledgeable about the status of their car, making it break down less frequently than regular cars.

However, electric vehicles still break down from time to time. Factors that may contribute to your EV breaking down easily are frequent use of your car AC, having hot seats turned on constantly, and speeding. To avoid too much heat inside your electric car, you can use the pre-cooling feature to set the temperature of your vehicle.

How Often Do Electric Cars Break Down?

A single EV battery may last for up to 10 years, depending on the frequency of use, which means your car won’t be able to run as fast in ten years. The speed range of your electric car will recede up to 40%.

With this slight disadvantage, electric car manufacturers are starting to develop new EV models with better battery quality. This improvement means that when the battery runs out, it will be easier to have it replaced. The only downside is that the current price for a brand-new electric car battery is more than half the cost of a new car. That’s why most EV owners prefer to buy a new car instead of replacing the battery.

Electric vehicles break down less and are less costly to maintain; their lifespan is lower than regular cars.

EV Parts That Most Likely Needs Repair

Electric car parts break and need repairing or replaced every once in a while. You will still have to deal with blown tires and software malfunctions with electric cars just like you would with regular vehicles. Some things that are likely in need of repair are bulbs, broken windows, heaters, and wiper motors.
To maintain the excellent condition of your electric car, have it regularly checked for any damage that needs repair. The frequency of electric cars breaking down depends on how long they use the car and its maintenance. An EV that is maintained and always kept in its best shape will break down less than expected.

For EV repairs, restoration, or replacement, Northwest Collision Center is the best auto body repair shop in St Petersburg, FL. If you want to learn more about our services, visit our website or call us now!

How Often Do Electric Cars Break Down - Northwest Collision Center (2024)

FAQs

Do electric cars break down more often? ›

Myth 7: Electric cars break down more than normal cars

Electric cars are actually shown to break down less than combustion vehicles, as they have fewer moving parts. They also require less maintenance, fewer fluids and their brake systems generally last longer due to regenerative braking.

Are electric cars safer in collisions? ›

In fact, information provided by the Highway Loss Data Institute states that collisions involving electric vehicles result in fewer injury claims, with supplemental data showing that the additional weight of the vehicle batteries actually absorbs much of the impact of the crash.

What is the main risk in electric vehicle repair? ›

The main risks in electric vehicle repair are: Battery safety: Electric vehicle batteries can be hazardous if mishandled or improperly maintained. They contain high voltage and pose a risk of electrical shock.

What happens to electric car batteries in a crash? ›

In rare and severe accidents, damage to the battery could potentially lead to a fire. While this risk is minimal, and manufacturers have safety measures in place, it's an aspect that some may point to when discussing the potential dangers of EVs in crashes.

Why do electric cars wear out tires faster? ›

Instant Torque and Acceleration

The powerful electric motors deliver immediate torque to the wheels, allowing EVs to accelerate rapidly from a standstill. While this feature is impressive and provides an enjoyable driving experience, it also puts additional stress on the tires.

What is the accident rate for electric cars? ›

Another study, by the University of California, Davis, found that electric cars were less likely to be involved in accidents than gasoline cars. The study found that electric cars were involved in 0.85 crashes per million miles driven, compared to 1.02 crashes per million miles driven for gasoline cars.

Are electric cars safer than gas cars in a crash? ›

Generally, cars powered by electricity or gas are equally safe in a crash. However, the size of a vehicle has far-flung effects on its safety. Heavy electric cars may be less safe than their lighter counterparts, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Are gas-powered cars safer than electric cars? ›

Electric cars are inherently safer than internal combustion-engine vehicles. The power source for all electric cars, Lithium-ion batteries are combustible in which they contain power cells that subject to short-circuiting if they are damaged, can result in fires.

What are 3 drawbacks of electric vehicles? ›

Disadvantages of Electric Vehicles - cons

These disadvantages include finding charging stations, charging times, higher initial costs, limited driving range, and battery packs can be expensive to replace.

How long does the average electric car battery last? ›

Generally, EV car batteries last from 10 to 20 years. Certain factors like heat, cold, or swift charging times can negatively affect that and reduce performance.

Does insurance cover electric car battery? ›

Are EV batteries typically covered by insurance? An electric car insurance policy may help cover the cost of battery repairs resulting from a collision or a different covered incident, such as a fire. However, repairs for routine wear and tear or mechanical breakdowns would not usually be covered by your insurance.

How common are battery fires in electric cars? ›

On the other hand, pure electric vehicles (meaning those powered only by batteries) were involved in just 25 fires per 100,000 sold. Yet, says, Paul A.

What happens to electric car batteries after 10 years? ›

Yes, when EV batteries reach the end of their working life, they will be recycled. In the US, when the typical 8- to 10-year battery warranty has expired, most EV providers can reuse the batteries for a second or third time.

Do electric cars break down less often? ›

Electric vehicles have almost 80% more problems than gas-powered ones, Consumer Reports says.

Are electric vehicles less likely to break down? ›

DETROIT (AP) — Electric vehicles have proved far less reliable, on average, than gasoline-powered cars, trucks and SUVs, according to the latest survey by Consumer Reports, which found that EVs from the 2021 through 2023 model years encountered nearly 80% more problems than did vehicles propelled by internal combustion ...

How often do electric cars have problems? ›

On average, new EVs had 79% more problems than gasoline-powered vehicles, Consumer Reports' 2023 Annual Auto Reliability survey showed. Hybrid vehicles had fewer issues than gasoline ones, while plug-in hybrids had 146% more problems.

How long do electric cars last? ›

Many experts peg the lifespan of an EV battery at between 100,000 and 200,000 miles. If your EV's battery fails before that, it will likely be covered by the manufacturer's warranty.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Dan Stracke

Last Updated:

Views: 6191

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (63 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Dan Stracke

Birthday: 1992-08-25

Address: 2253 Brown Springs, East Alla, OH 38634-0309

Phone: +398735162064

Job: Investor Government Associate

Hobby: Shopping, LARPing, Scrapbooking, Surfing, Slacklining, Dance, Glassblowing

Introduction: My name is Dan Stracke, I am a homely, gleaming, glamorous, inquisitive, homely, gorgeous, light person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.