Rapid improvement in electric vehicle reliability
Electric cars in UK last as long as petrol and diesel vehicle – an international research team based findings on 300m records to estimate failure rates of all cars.
A recent study published in Nature Energy reveals that electric cars have an estimated lifespan of 18.4 years, slightly shorter than petrol cars at 18.7 years and longer than diesel vehicles at 16.8 years, based on an analysis of 300 million records from mandatory MOT tests.
As electric vehicles (EVs) gain popularity and the earliest models reach their end-of-life, emerging data suggests they may indeed prove more reliable than traditional petrol or diesel vehicles. This increased reliability can be attributed to the simplicity of EV design, featuring significantly fewer moving parts which reduces potential failure points.
Consequently, as comparative data continues to be gathered over the coming years, it will provide clearer insights into the long-term reliability of electric cars versus conventional internal combustion engine vehicles.
Researchers from various institutions, including the University of Birmingham and the London School of Economics, the University of California San Diego, and the University of Bern, Switzerland, analyzed MOT data to determine the failure rate of all cars, specifically excluding earlier scrappage factors typically linked to accidents.
The Guardian: The analysis found that Tesla cars had the longest lifespan among battery cars.
They also found that all new cars increased in reliability over the years, as technology improved. The improvements were most marked in electric cars. The researchers said this was a result of carmakers rapidly learning from their early mistakes in battery models: it is harder to find improvements for petrol and diesel technology, which has been around for many more years.
A longer lifespan would add to the environmental benefits of an electric car v a petrol equivalent, because the addition of new wind turbines and solar power to the grid will make the electricity they use cleaner every year. Carbon dioxide emissions from use will eventually drop to zero if renewable energy is used.
The findings could also help to address concerns over expensive repairs that have pushed up insurance costs for some electric cars.
Robert Elliott, a professor of economics at the University of Birmingham and one of the study’s authors, said: “BEVs [battery electric vehicles] offer significant environmental benefits, especially as Europe switches to a more renewable energy mix. 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.”
Electric cars on average were also driven 124,000 miles over their lifetime, more intensively than petrol, although less than diesels, which have been favoured by people who regularly cover longer distances because of fuel cost savings.
The number of electric cars sold in the UK is rising rapidly before a ban on sales of internal combustion engines in 2035; while China and Norway are leading the transition globally.
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About the Author: Chris Machens

I think it’s great that electric cars are lasting longer! It’s exciting to see how they are becoming more reliable than petrol cars. Can’t wait to see more EVs on the road!
This study is amazing! I love that electric cars are helping the environment and getting better every year. It makes me feel good about driving one in the future!