Breakdown statistics show: electric cars are more reliable than combustion engines

Breaking down is probably the horror scenario for many drivers. The "best" time to break down is at night, somewhere in the middle of nowhere and in the pouring rain. With its latest breakdown statistics, the German breakdown service ADAC shows which cars broke down most frequently in 2022. For the first time, it has analysed how reliable electric cars are compared to combustion engines.

The key figure in the breakdown chart below shows the recorded breakdowns per 1000 vehicles. All four electric cars were slightly ahead in their respective classes.

In order for the breakdown statistics to be sufficiently meaningful, the ADAC states that a minimum of 7,000 cars must be registered in two years. This is the case for these e-cars: Tesla's Model 3, the BMW i3, the Renault Zoe and the VW ID.3. In addition, the ADAC only included cars in the statistics that were first registered in 2020 - as e-vehicles are significantly newer and their susceptibility to breakdowns increases with age.

Where electric cars have an advantage

And why do electric cars have fewer breakdowns? The ADAC writes: "One reason for the thesis is that there are far fewer parts that could break down in an electric drive. There is no exhaust, no gearbox with multiple ratios, no clutch or starter, no exhaust gas recirculation, no fuel injection, no turbocharger."

The ADAC shows the reasons for breakdowns.

Faulty or discharged starter batteries cause the most problems - but this applies to both types of drive. The ADAC states: "In addition to the so-called high-voltage or traction battery in the underbody, electric cars have a 12-volt starter battery to operate the lights, the dashboard and all systems that work with low voltage - just as is the case with any combustion engine."

The second most common cause of breakdowns is flat tyres. If these are excluded, the following areas stand out in the comparison of electric cars and combustion engines: the locking systems and the engine, management and high-voltage (HV) system. The ADAC writes: "The difference in problems regarding the drive (the HV system of the electric car is the counterpart to the drive of the combustion car) can probably be attributed to the significantly simpler technical design of an electric motor."

According to the ADAC, it is reasonable to assume that there are more contactless systems in electric cars - which ensures fewer breakdowns because keys cannot get lost in the first place.

Even fewer breakdowns possible in future

According to the ADAC, it is still too early to draw a final conclusion. This is because, given the high prices for electric cars, manufacturers would use less favourable and therefore breakdown-prone components. At the same time, however, these vehicles are still uncharted territory for many manufacturers, which is why the likelihood of breakdowns could still be reduced through learning effects.

And it remains to be seen whether the tyres can withstand the higher weight of electric cars and the disproportionately greater load in the long term. But: Breakdowns in which the battery of electric cars was empty do not seem to have any relevance in the statistics.

By the way, if you're thinking about buying a new car, the Fiat Ducato, built in 2013, has the highest breakdown rate of all models. A total of 155 vehicle series from 20 car brands were analysed in the latest ADAC breakdown statistics. All breakdowns in the course of 2022 that affected vehicles between three and ten years old were analysed. You can find the complete ADAC breakdown statistics for 2022 here.