Electric Vehicles Far Less Reliable Than Conventional Cars

According to a survey by Consumer Reports, electric vehicles (EVs) have shown to be less reliable than gasoline-powered cars, trucks, and SUVs. The survey found that EVs from the 2021 through 2023 model years encountered nearly 80% more problems than vehicles with internal combustion engines. The most common issues reported by EV owners were related to battery and charging systems, as well as problems with the fit of body panels and interior parts. Consumer Reports attributed these reliability concerns to the fact that EV manufacturers are still learning to construct new power systems. However, the organization believes that as electric vehicle technology advances, reliability will improve. Reliability concerns, along with higher costs, a lack of charging infrastructure, and long charging times, are factors that may discourage buyers from switching to EVs. The growth of electric vehicle sales has also slowed in recent years, with automakers expressing concerns that the pace will weaken further. The survey also found that plug-in hybrids, which combine electric and gasoline power, were more prone to problems than fully electric vehicles. Integrated gas-electric hybrid systems were found to be more reliable than gasoline vehicles due to their longer history of use and the resolution of previous issues. Consumer Reports based its survey data on subscribers who owned EVs from the 2021 through 2023 model years and compared them with other vehicle types. The organization weighed serious problems, such as battery and engine failures, more heavily in calculating the average problem rate. The survey indicated that newer EV models had fewer problems, suggesting that overall reliability is improving. However, the reliability of vehicles tends to decrease as they age.