Are electric cars more likely to break down?

tesla model 3

There’s plenty of speculation about the safety and maintenance of electric vehicles, and a lot of it is untrue. As the world transitions to greener methods of transport, it’s important that electric cars become as easy, if not easier, to use as conventional cars. A part of that is looking at whether electric vehicle breakdowns are more likely to occur.

Why do electric vehicles break down?

Would it surprise you if we told you that the biggest cause of electric vehicle breakdowns is the same as it is for petrol and diesel breakdowns? That’s right. The top two causes of breakdowns in electric vehicles are no different than those in conventionally fueled vehicles.

The first is issues relating to the 12v battery which can be found within all cars. Second, is tyre faults due to potholes, punctures and wear. Both of these are not directly related to driving an electric car.

The third most common cause of electric vehicle breakdowns related to charging equipment (not range). This included issues relating to the cable and plug. At the moment, The AA say that electric vehicle breakdowns account for roughly 1% of their callouts. While this is likely to increase slightly as uptake of EVs does, it doesn’t look like driving an electric vehicle makes you more likely to break down.

Are you likely to break down from running out of charge?

Even today, one of the biggest worries when it comes to driving an electric car is range anxiety. Drivers fear that their electric car may not be able to travel as far as they need it to, leaving them stuck with a flat battery.

In reality, running out of driving range is extremely uncommon. Not only can most electric vehicles travel upwards of 200 miles on a single charge, but there is also more charging infrastructure. With over 30,000 charge points on UK roads, EV drivers are never far from a public charge point.

But, don’t just take our word for it! Statistics from The AA show that range anxiety doesn’t even come close to being one of the main reasons for electric vehicle breakdowns. Edmund King, AA President, says that “96% of electric vehicle breakdowns have nothing to do with battery range.” Less than 1% of EV breakdowns are due to running out of charge!

In these cases, The AA will take the broken down EV to a working charge point so the drivers can charge as much as they would like. They can even tow electric vehicles that cannot be flat towed.

While people still worry about the range of their electric car, it’s clear that running out of battery isn’t a huge issue. So what are the biggest causes of electric vehicle breakdowns?

Buy an electric car at EV Sales

Those looking for an affordable electric vehicle have come to the right place! Here at EV Sales, we specialise in the sale of both new and second hand electric vehicles. 

Our second hand vehicles were all previously owned and used by our sister company, EVision Electric Vehicles. EVision is an award-winning electric vehicle hire company who specialise in electric vehicles. After a few years, EVision decided to upgrade their electric vehicles for the latest versions. 

This means that all our EVs are in fantastic condition, have low mileage and have only had one previous keeper.We currently have a great range of the best electric cars and vans from the best manufacturers. 

Tesla

Tesla is certainly a common name in most households now as Elon Musk’s pure electric brand continues to fly. Being some of, if not, the most popular electric vehicles for buyers across the globe. The Tesla Model 3 actually ranked in the top spot as the best -selling electric car in 2021. 

Meanwhile, the Tesla Model S is not following far behind. The brand’s sporty model is by far one the most popular electric vehicles on the market. With its fantastic performance and luxury interior, the Tesla Model S ticks all the boxes.

We’re lucky enough to have some second hand Tesla Model S and Model 3 vehicles available here!

Renault

For those of you who are looking for a more conventional electric car, you might be interested in the Renault Zoe. The Zoe is a super stylish and brilliant city vehicle, with a second hand real world range of 100 miles.

At the moment, we only have one white Renault Zoe model available which is in excellent condition. With only 24,800 miles on the clock, this is a brilliant electric car for first time buyers.

Electric vans

Finally, if you’re looking for an eco-friendly alternative for your commercial business, then an electric van may be for you! Here at EV Sales, we have some brand new vans including the Vauxhall Vivaro-e and Renault Kangoo.

The Vauxhall Vivaro-e  is a much larger electric van than the Kangoo, and is actually just an electric model of Vauxhall’s Vivaro van. This is one of the best selling electric vans on the market as it is so similar to its conventional counterpart. Plus, with a range of 200 miles and rapid charging in just 20 minutes, the Vivaro-e is perfect for those doing long distances throughout the day.

Whereas, the Kangoo is slightly smaller and therefore has a smaller range of roughly 120 miles. One of our favourite features of the Kangoo is its customisability. There are 2 large front seats as well as 3 rear seats. However, these rear seats can be completely folded down to allow for more cargo. 

Arrange a viewing

If you’re interested in any of the electric vehicles on offer, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team. We’re now offering face-to-face and virtual viewings at our Kent location. You can contact our EV team on 01634 914 063 or via mail@evisionsales.co.uk.

* All information correct as of 22/06/2022.

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