An influential U.S. non-profit organization’s survey on Wednesday revealed that electric vehicles (EVs) are grappling with poor reliability due to charging and battery issues, despite a rapid increase in consumer adoption.
Consumer Reports’ Revelations on EV Challenges
According to Consumer Reports’ 2023 Annual Auto Reliability survey, new EVs, on average, experienced 79% more problems compared to gasoline-powered vehicles. Hybrid vehicles showed fewer issues than their gasoline counterparts, while plug-in hybrids exhibited 146% more problems.
Among the surveyed categories, electric pickups emerged as the least reliable, while compact cars, sports cars, and small pickups were ranked among the most reliable.
Jake Fisher, senior director of Auto Testing at Consumer Reports, noted that for legacy automakers, EVs represent new technologies, resulting in limited experience with batteries, charging, and motors. Fisher recommended consumers to consider leasing EVs, acknowledging that the technology is still evolving in North America.
Brand Rankings: Tesla’s Performance
In terms of brand rankings, Tesla secured the 14th position concerning issues related to body hardware, paint, and trim, as well as the climate system in its battery-powered vehicles. However, Tesla ranked second among U.S. automakers, with General Motors’ Buick leading in terms of vehicle reliability. Notably, fewer problems were reported for Tesla’s motor, charging technology, and battery.
Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis’ Chrysler brands found themselves in the 29th and 30th positions, respectively. The top spots were dominated by Asian carmakers, with Lexus securing the first position and Toyota following closely in second place.
Consumer Reports’ survey, covering 20 problem areas, included aspects like engine performance, electric motors, transmission, and in-car electronics. The data encompassed over 330,000 vehicles from model years 2000 to 2023, with some newly introduced 2024 models. Marta Tellado, President and CEO of Consumer Reports, emphasized that, despite shifts in the auto marketplace, consumer priorities remain consistent: finding safe and reliable cars.
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