Studies comparing reliability of EVs vs. gas cars report conflicting results

A new study into electric vehicles has found they break down far less often than gas-powered cars

But different recently released data from a separate organization is claiming exactly the opposite

Research by the German Automobile Club indicates EVs manufactured in the past five years

have shown significantly lower breakdown rates than their gas and diesel counterparts

The statistics show EVs built between 2020 and 2022 had an average breakdown rate of 4.2 per 1,000 vehicles

less than half the 10.4 per 1,000 rate observed among combustion engine cars

However, the UK's Automobile Association has cautioned against assuming electric vehicles are more reliable

They say EVs currently experience a slightly higher rate of breakdowns, pointing to challenges unique to electric models, such as jam-charging cables and technical glitches

Although, the Automobile Association's findings did also claim that most EV issues are fixable on the roadside

with 90% of breakdowns being resolved without a tow, compared to 86% for gas and diesel vehicles

In trying to resolve the differences between these two conflicting data sets, it's important to look at what interests the providers of this information may be trying to promote

For example, the German Automobile Club's pro-electric vehicle report comes as the organization operates a network of EV chargers across Germany and has previously provided financial support to initiatives that promote electric mobility

Meanwhile, one of the automobile association's owners, CVC Capital Partners, has invested billions of dollars in multiple oil and gas companies around the world

For Straight Arrow News, I'm Jack Elmer