Common Causes for an Electric Car Breakdown

Electric cars are the way of the future. In fact, the UK government is trying to phase out the sale of new petrol and diesel cars altogether, meaning one day EVs could be the comfortable majority on the road. Electric cars differ from traditionally powered vehicles in terms of function in various ways, meaning they’re also susceptible to different causes for malfunction. If you’re going to join the side of batteries over petrol and diesel, you need to understand what causes a typical electric car breakdown. 

This blog will give more insights into the nature of how electric vehicles break down, how they compare to traditional cars and the importance of proper EV breakdown cover

Do EVs break down more than traditional cars?

Contrary to popular belief among petrolheads, EVs are generally more reliable than petrol or diesel cars. They actually have far fewer moving parts than traditionally powered vehicles, meaning fewer things can malfunction. This doesn’t mean that they’re immune to breakdowns, with plenty of common causes for them coming to screeching halts. 

Can you tow an electric car if it breaks down?

No, electric cars cannot be towed. This is because towing would cause issues with the regenerative braking, and electric cars don’t have a traditional ‘neutral’ gear. For this reason, we’ll always recover Electric Cars with a flatbed recovery truck.

12-volt battery issues

This is by far the most common cause of breakdowns for both EVs and traditional vehicles alike. Car motors are generally powered by the vehicle’s large traction battery, with the conventional 12-volt battery responsible for powering the car’s accessories. The dashboard, lights, entertainment system and general electrical system all drain the battery, and if it goes flat, it will leave the car immobilised. 

Tyre problems

Having a large battery pack as part of the vehicle can put more stress on the tyres. This is why most EVs are built with specialised tyres, designed for enhanced durability and quieter performance. However, that doesn’t make EVs immune to the effects of punctures, under-inflation or general wear and tear. Ensuring EV tyres are properly inflated and have sufficient tread depth will keep these issues further at bay. 

Running out of charge

Running out of charge, much like running out of petrol, is actually a fairly rare cause for call-outs on electric car breakdown cover. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Among the 1.6 million electric cars in the UK, many of the drivers suffer from “range anxiety” – the feeling that they’ll run out of power before making it to a working charge point. Simply enough, it’s important to charge sufficiently and be hyperaware of nearby charging points. 

Issues with the charging infrastructure

Breakdowns are actually more likely to take place due to complications with the charging process, rather than the car running out of charge. Some typical infrastructure issues include: 

  • Faulty charging stations, such as a public charger being out of service or having other glitches
  • Sticking charging cables, due to the locking mechanism on either the charger or cable failing, making unplugging the cable impossible

Other electrical or mechanical faults

All vehicles, electric or otherwise, can suffer from a wide range of electrical and mechanical faults, such as: 

  • Software glitches can be common in modern cars – especially the electric ones, which are essentially computers on wheels. Software bugs or crashes cause the car to freeze or fail to start. 
  • The regenerative braking of EVs reduces wear on the brake pads, but they are still mechanical components that can fail or seize up if not used regularly. 
  • EV suspension is under additional strain in the same way that EV tyres are, so over time, it can be the cause of a breakdown. 

Keeping a good cover policy

With all this in mind, you should invest in a strong EV breakdown cover policy. The right provider will offer tailored breakdown recovery, flatbed or dollie-inclusive, along with additional options such as onward travel and more to support you in the event of a breakdown. 

Whatever you drive, it’s always worth being prepared! 

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