EVs Are Now as Reliable and Durable as Gas Cars
Electric Vehicles Have Caught Up
Electric vehicles (EVs) have reached the same level of reliability and longevity as gasoline and diesel cars, according to a large-scale study published in Nature. Researchers analyzed over 300 million vehicle inspection records from 2005 to 2022 in the UK. They found that modern EVs last an average of 18.4 years and can cover 200,000 km, even surpassing many internal combustion engine (ICE) cars in durability.
The study was conducted by experts from the University of Birmingham, the London School of Economics, the University of California (San Diego), and the University of Bern. Their findings confirm that while early EV models lagged behind ICE vehicles, technological advancements have closed the reliability gap.
Faster Technological Progress in EVs
EV reliability is improving at a much faster rate than traditional cars. With each new generation of EVs, the failure rate drops by 12%, compared to 6.7% for gasoline cars and only 1.9% for diesel cars. This rapid improvement makes EVs a more attractive and sustainable long-term investment.
According to the study, Tesla leads in EV durability, while Audi ranks highest for gasoline cars and Skoda for diesel vehicles. These findings offer valuable insights for consumers looking for the most reliable vehicle brands.
Environmental and Economic Benefits
From an environmental perspective, EVs provide long-term sustainability benefits. While EV production results in higher CO₂ emissions, their long lifespan and zero operating emissions allow them to offset their carbon footprint faster.
Professor Robert Elliott from the University of Birmingham explains:
“Despite higher emissions during manufacturing, EVs can pay off their carbon footprint faster, contributing to climate change solutions.”
Dr. Viet Nguyen-Tien from the London School of Economics emphasizes that EVs are no longer a niche product but a mainstream alternative to ICE vehicles:
“Our findings show that EVs are not only environmentally friendly but also a highly reliable choice, helping us move toward carbon neutrality.”
