Summary
- Electric vehicle breakdowns due to low battery charge at lowest level ever in UK
- Instances of EVs breaking down due to lack of charge account for 1.85% of all EV-related breakdowns
- Factors contributing to decline include better battery technology, longer range, improved charging infrastructure, increased knowledge about EVs
- In 2023, running 12-month figure for EV-related breakdowns due to low battery charge was 2.26%
- AA expects instances of EVs running out of battery to eventually match gas and diesel cars running out of fuel at around 1%
Article
The Transport + Energy Forum at Warwick University revealed that instances of electric vehicle breakdowns due to low battery charge have hit their lowest-ever level in the U.K., accounting for just 1.85% of EV-related breakdowns. The AA handles about 8,000 breakdowns daily, with only about five or six involving electric vehicles running out of charge. Many incidents do not involve fully drained batteries, but rather vehicles with very little battery left.
AA president Edmund King highlighted the dramatic 80% reduction in breakdowns due to low battery charge over eight years, indicating that range anxiety should no longer be a concern for EV owners. King noted that many breakdowns are caused by technical issues like stuck charge point covers or minor faults. The decline in breakdowns could be attributed to factors such as better battery technology, longer range in electric vehicles, improved charging performance and reliability, better charging infrastructure, and increased knowledge of EVs among drivers and dealers.
Data from previous years shows a significant decline in instances of out-of-charge electric vehicle breakdowns. In 2016, 7.12% of EV-related issues were due to low battery charge, which went down to 4.89% in 2020. The most recent data indicates a running 12-month figure of 2.26% for EV-related breakdowns caused by out-of-charge batteries. The AA expects the proportion of EVs running out of battery to eventually match the 1% rate seen among gasoline and diesel vehicles, indicating an increase in the reliability of electric cars.
The downward trend in out-of-charge battery incidents among EVs suggests that electric cars are becoming more reliable and facing similar maintenance issues as combustion-powered vehicles. The reduced instances of running out of battery point towards improvements in battery technology, charging infrastructure, and driver awareness of EV capabilities. This trend indicates a positive shift towards EVs being a more viable and trustworthy option for drivers, with the potential to match the reliability of traditional vehicles in terms of maintenance and performance.
In conclusion, the U.K. has seen a significant decrease in electric vehicle breakdowns due to low battery charge, with only 1.85% of EV-related breakdowns attributed to this issue. The AA President noted the decline in such incidents over the years, signaling that range anxiety should no longer be a concern for EV owners. With improvements in battery technology, charging infrastructure, and driver knowledge, electric cars are becoming increasingly reliable and facing maintenance issues similar to traditional vehicles. The data indicates a promising future for EVs in terms of reliability and performance, making them a more viable option for drivers in the U.K. and beyond.
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