EV breakdowns due to low battery drop to lowest levels on record, AA says

AA reports EV battery-related breakdowns at record low   Comes as the charging network becomes bigger and more reliable

Drivers of electric vehicles should no longer fear long journeys as low battery related breakdowns have dropped to a record low, new AA data shows.

In the 12-month period to October 2023, of all electric car call outs, 2.3 per cent were down to batteries having no – or limited – charge, according to Britain’s biggest breakdown firm.

This figure is down from 8.3 per cent in 2015 and 4.3 per cent in 2021 and the AA predicts the number will fall further to 1 per cent this year.

The AA attributed the decrease primarily to the public charging network becoming larger and more reliable.

The growth of UK charging network reduces EV battery-related breakdowns, AA figures show

Edmund King, AA president,  said: ‘There are still lots of myths being pedalled about EVs running out of charge on almost every long journey.

‘At the AA we have evidence the evidence to show this is just not the case. So, range anxiety – where a driver worries their EV will run out of juice – should become ‘a thing of the past.’

Of the 83,000 call outs between October 2022 and 2023, the most common were related to: tyres (21.5 per cent); problems charging the battery used for driving the vehicle (19.8 per cent); and the 12v battery (16.8 per cent), which is the same type used in conventionally-fuelled vehicles.

The AA’s predicted 1 per cent would put the proportion of petrol or diesel car breakdowns due to running out of fuel equal to that of EVs running out of charge.

Along with a more reliable and larger public charging network, extended battery ranges on newer EVs and increasingly thorough education and information for drivers were credited for the record low.

Edmund King added: ‘It is important that all drivers have accurate information, see improved infrastructure and they are given incentives to switch when they are ready to do so.’

‘Our polling shows that drivers generally aren’t hostile to EVs but they are hesitant to switch.’

The Government has announced £70m investment in ultra-rapid motorway charging sites

The Government’s recent announcement at December’s COP28 of a £70million pilot scheme to boost England’s ultra-rapid motorway chargepoints echoes the AA’s call for visible advancements in infrastructure.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: ‘This £70million pilot scheme is the starting point and sends a message to consumers and industry that we are investing wisely and rapidly to grow the future of transport in the UK.’

With plans for up to 10 high-speed trials sites across England, electric car owners will be able to charge their vehicles with 100kW, 150kW or 350kW speeds, topping up batteries in around 20 minutes or less.

If there are more rapid chargers available on long stretches of motorway, the notion that EVs run out of juice on long journeys could be busted and range anxiety fears fade away.

But a report from the RAC showed the Department for Transport missed its target to have at least six rapid or ultra-rapid chargers at every motorway service station in England by the end of 2023.