Data compiled by a vehicle-warranty specialist in the U.K. finds that battery-electric vehicles are no more reliable than their internal-combustion-engine cousins and cost a lot more to repair.
Warranty Solutions Group, an organization established in 2012, says real-world warranty claims indicated marked differences in both fault rates and repair costs across many popular BEV models.
The Nissan Leaf topped the reliability rankings with a low claim rate of just 3.06% from a sample of 800 BEV warranty claims from across the U.K.
However, the data also shows which BEVs go wrong the most and those that are the most expensive to fix.
At the bottom end of the scale, the Tesla Model S was the least reliable, notching a 50% claim rate with a £703.50 ($945.49) average repair cost.
Just above this model is the Volkswagen E-Golf at a 33.33% claim rate, the Kia E-Niro at 25% rate and then the Jaguar I-Pace at 21.43%, with an average repair cost of £1,353.69 ($1,819.35).
Perhaps most surprising result is the affordable Vauxhall Corsa Electric B-segment BEV which, while enjoying a middling 9.68% claim rate, the average cost of repairs was recorded at a whopping £2,261.88 ($3,039.94).
BEV Versus ICE
Warranty Solution Group’s data shows little difference between BEVs’ and internal-combustion-engine models’ average claim rates at 13.21% and 13.74%, respectively.
However, repair costs tell a different story with BEVs averaging £858.50 ($1,153.82) per claim against £668.45 ($898.39) for ICE.
The company says this is owing to specialized components and the need for dedicated trained technicians to handle working the high-voltage systems.
The most common components where faults were found on BEVs were charging ports, tire pressure monitors, air conditioning compressors and 12V backup batteries.
Already U.K. insurance companies are reflecting the cost implications of accidents involving BEVs. Figures for 2024 suggest the average ICE vehicle is about 26% cheaper to insure than its electric cousin.
On top of this, residual resale values of BEVs also continue to be depressed compared to ICE and add to overall cost of ownership, although this is hotly disputed by many BEV lobby organizations.
However, prospective BEV owners must now factor in these potential costs and not just focus on service station fuel costs, says Warranty Solutions Group’s operations director, Martin Binnee.
“While BEVs and gasoline/diesel cars break down at similar rates, BEV repairs are more expensive,” he adds.
