The study allays fears over the reliability of electric vehicles

Study shows EVs are more reliable – and run for longer – than traditional cars and vans

Paul JonesFebruary 2, 20250 Comment0

THE lifespan of an electric cars and vans is an oft-cited reason for not owning one.

However, a new study has revealed battery-powered electric vehicles (BEVs) are just as reliable – and can run for longer – than traditional vehicles.

According to the research, published in Nature Energy, BEVs can match the longevity of traditional petrol and diesel cars and vans.

Teams from the University of Birmingham, London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), University of California San Diego, and University of Bern in Switzerland revealed that, on average, BEVs now have a lifespan of 18.4 years and can travel up to 124,000 miles – more than the traditional petrol car from the same generation.

The researchers analysed nearly 300 million UK Ministry of Transport (MOT) test records spanning from 2005 to 2022, which track the condition and legality of vehicles on the road and used the data to estimate vehicle lifespans.

While it was found early BEVs were less reliable than internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs), advances in technology have seen newer BEVs reaching comparable lifespans, even under more demanding conditions.

BEVs exhibited the fastest improvement in reliability, with a 12% lower likelihood of failure for each successive year of production, the study showed, compared to 6.7% for petrol vehicles and 1.9% for diesel vehicles.

For vehicle longevity, Tesla led the way among BEVs. For petrol and diesel vehicles, Audi and Skoda topped the list.

Tesla vehicles led the way in longevity for electric vehicles, the study said

Co-author of the research, Robert Elliott, Professor of Economics at the University of Birmingham, said: “BEVs 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.

“Our findings offer consumers reliable data to make informed decisions about their vehicle purchases, while 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.”

Fellow co-author, Dr Viet Nguyen-Tien, from the LSE, added: “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.”