Electric vehicle (EVs) sales have slumped in Britain, with the public struggling to fall in love with the technology.
A shortage of public chargers fuels ‘range anxiety’ among motorists worried about where they can top up their batteries, while high prices have also put off would-be buyers.
Despite these fears, a new study claims that EVs are even more reliable than traditional cars and vans with petrol and diesel engines.
Researchers from the University of Birmingham and the London School of Economics (LSE), analysed the ‘health’ of nearly 300 million vehicles on UK roads.
Their analysis found that battery electric vehicles (BEVs) not only had a lower likelihood of failure, but also a comparable lifespan to traditional cars and vans.
According to the team, this marks a ‘pivotal moment in the drive towards sustainable transportation’.
Co-author Dr Viet Nguyen-Tien, from the LSE, said: ‘Our findings provide critical insights into the lifespan and environmental impact of electric vehicles.
‘No longer just a niche option, BEVs are a viable and sustainable alternative to traditional vehicles – a significant step towards achieving a net-zero carbon future.’
A new study claims that EVs are even more reliable than traditional cars and vans with petrol and diesel engines
Their analysis found that battery electric vehicles (BEVs) not only had a lower likelihood of failure, but also a comparable lifespan to traditional cars and vans
In the study, the team used nearly 300 million UK Ministry of Transport test records to analyse UK vehicles from 2005 to 2022.
This allowed them to estimate the reliability and longevity of each vehicle.
Their analysis revealed that BEVs demonstrated the most rapid improvement in reliability, with a 12 per cent lower likelihood of failure for each successive year of production.
For comparison, these figures were only 6.7 per cent and 1.9 per cent for petrol and diesel vehicles, respectively.
In addition, the results revealed that BEVs now have an average lifespan of 18.4 years and can travel up to 124,000 miles.
Petrol cars have a slightly longer average lifespan of 18.7 years, but with a lower mileage of 116,000 miles.
Meanwhile, diesel cars have a higher mileage (159,000 miles), but a shorter lifespan of 16.3 years.
As part of the study, the team also identified the top-performing brands in terms of vehicle longevity.
In the study, the team used nearly 300 million UK Ministry of Transport test records to analyse UK vehicles from 2005 to 2022 (stock image)
EVs have lower greenhouse gas emissions overall when compared with conventional cars, but there are some hidden environmental costs of an electric car
Among BEVs, Tesla leads the charge, while Audi is the best performer for petrol, and Skoda is the top for diesel.
‘BEVs offer significant environmental benefits, especially as Europe switches to a more renewable energy mix,’ said study co-author Robert Elliott, Professor of Economics at the University of Birmingham.
‘Despite higher initial emissions from production, a long-lasting electric vehicle can quickly offset its carbon footprint, contributing to the fight against climate change – making them a more sustainable long-term option.
‘Our findings offer consumers reliable data to make informed decisions about their vehicle purchases, whilst policymakers can use our insights to shape regulations and incentives that promote the adoption of durable and environmentally friendly vehicles and plan ahead their end-of-life treatment.’
However, the study comes as sales of electric cars have slowed in Britain.
A shortage of public chargers fuels ‘range anxiety’ among motorists worried about where they can top up their batteries, while high prices have also put off would-be buyers.
Electric vehicles run on energy from a charged battery much like a smartphone but come with hefty pricetags – around £46,000 on average in the UK.
‘Electric vehicles typically cost more upfront,’ say Milad Haghani, lecturer in urban analytics at UNSW Sydney, and Hadi Ghaderi, a supply chain professor at Swinburne University of Technology, in a piece for The Conversation.
Their analysis revealed that BEVs demonstrated the most rapid improvement in reliability, with a 12 per cent lower likelihood of failure for each successive year of production. For comparison, these figures were only 6.7 per cent and 1.9 per cent for petrol and diesel vehicles, respectively
‘Sales have slowed in parts of Europe and the United States often due to reduced incentives, but strong sales growth continues in other regions such as China and India.’
The two experts say a ‘flood of cheaper Chinese vehicles’ is lowering the cost barrier.
However, these Eastern exports have triggered surveillance fears.
Another ‘major issue’ for car buyers is uncertainty about an electric model’s resale value compared to a standard petrol or diesel, the researchers point out.
‘Consumers are concerned electric vehicles depreciate faster than traditional cars… these concerns are particularly tied to battery degradation, which affects a car’s range and performance over time.’
Meanwhile, EV fires have made headlines globally – including a high-profile battery fire in a Korean parking lot in August – creating doubts among consumers.
