Electric Vehicles (BEVs) Equal in Reliability Compared to Internal Combustion Engines (ICE), According to Findings

In a recent report, Warranty Solutions Group, a U.K. vehicle-warranty specialist, has suggested that battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) may not be any more reliable than their internal-combustion-engine (ICE) counterparts. The study, which investigated the reliability and maintenance costs of BEVs, found that the most common components where faults were found were charging ports, tire pressure monitors, air conditioning compressors, and 12V backup batteries.

The organization that conducted the investigations was not explicitly named in the provided search results. However, it is worth noting that the TÜV (Technischer Überwachungsverein) is responsible for safety and reliability inspections of electric vehicles, including aspects that indirectly relate to reliability and maintenance by issuing certificates for operational approval.

Despite similar breakdown rates, BEV repairs are reportedly more expensive. The average repair cost per claim for BEVs is £858.50 ($1,153.82), compared to £668.45 ($898.39) for ICE vehicles. One of the reasons for these cost differences is the specialized components and the need for dedicated trained technicians to handle high-voltage systems.

The Tesla Model S has the highest claim rate among BEVs at 50%, with an average repair cost of £703.50 ($945.49). The Vauxhall Corsa Electric, on the other hand, has a lower claim rate of 9.68%, but a high average repair cost of £2,261.88 ($3,039.94).

Martin Binnee, the operations director of Warranty Solutions Group, urges prospective BEV owners to factor in potential higher repair costs, not just focusing on service station fuel costs. He states that while BEVs and ICE vehicles break down at similar rates, BEV repairs are more expensive.

Interestingly, U.K. insurance companies are reflecting these cost implications, with the average ICE vehicle being about 26% cheaper to insure than its electric cousin. The Nissan Leaf, for instance, has a low claim rate of 3.06% among 800 BEV warranty claims in the U.K. However, the Volkswagen E-Golf has a claim rate of 33.33%, the Kia E-Niro has a claim rate of 25%, and the Jaguar I-Pace has a claim rate of 21.43%, with an average repair cost of £1,353.69 ($1,819.35) for the Jaguar I-Pace.

It's important to note that many BEV lobby organizations dispute the claim that residual resale values of BEVs are depressed compared to ICE. As the market for BEVs continues to grow, it will be interesting to see how these trends evolve.

In other news, the Hyundai Ioniq Hatch Concept and Smart #2 have been announced, but no specific data regarding their reliability or cost of ownership has been provided in this article. Stay tuned for more updates as these models hit the market.