CleanTechnica reported on Sunday that the German automobile club ADAC has released research findings indicating that electric vehicles (EVs) are more reliable than internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.
ADAC, the largest roadside assistance organization in Europe, collected data on 3.6 million vehicle breakdowns last year alone. The study analyzed vehicles registered between 2020 and 2022. It found that EVs experienced 4.2 breakdowns per 1,000 vehicles, while ICE vehicles had a significantly higher rate of 10.4 breakdowns per 1,000—more than double that of EVs.
According to the study, 50 percent of EV breakdowns and 45 percent of ICE vehicle breakdowns were due to issues with the 12V battery. Excluding these, EVs outperformed ICE vehicles in almost every category, including electronic systems, engine management, and lighting. ADAC concluded that EVs have a structurally simpler drivetrain, which makes them more likely to be reliable in the long term.
Although long-term studies are still limited, ADAC noted that ICE vehicles tend to develop problems over time in key components such as the engine and transmission, whereas EVs lack these parts and are therefore expected to maintain lower failure rates. ADAC added that the reliability of EVs is likely to remain stable over time and that, as more data accumulates, their long-term durability will also be proven.
