Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) have attained a level of reliability that now matches their gasoline and diesel counterparts, signaling a crucial shift towards eco-friendly transport solutions, according to recent research findings.
An extensive review was conducted by an international team of researchers who analyzed nearly 300 million records from the UK’s Ministry of Transport (MOT), tracking the condition and performance metrics for various vehicles on British roads between 2005 and 2022. This analysis allowed them to assess durability across different types of vehicle powertrains.
The study revealed that while early BEVs struggled with reliability compared to internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs), significant technological advancements have led to modern BEVs achieving lifespans that rival those of traditional models, even when used more rigorously.
Notably, BEVs are experiencing accelerated enhancements in reliability—with each subsequent production year correlating with a decrease in failure rates by approximately 12%. In comparison, the failure likelihood for petrol vehicles dropped by only 6.7%, while diesel models showed just a 1.9% reduction.
Published on January 24 in Nature Energy, researchers hailing from institutions like the University of Birmingham, London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), University of California San Diego, and Switzerland’s University of Bern discovered that contemporary BEVs now boast an average lifespan reaching up to 18.4 years alongside remarkable travel capabilities—exceeding up to about 124,000 miles—which surpasses conventional petrol cars’ mileage benchmarks.
The study also pinpointed leading brands contributing significantly to durability rankings; Tesla emerged as the top performer within the BEV category whereas Audi and Skoda excelled among petrol and diesel segments respectively.
Dr. Viet Nguyen-Tien from LSE expressed thoughts on these findings saying: “Our research presents vital information regarding both longevity and environmental repercussions related to electric vehicles. Transitioning beyond merely being viewed as alternative options, BEVs are becoming formidable contenders against traditional automotive choices—a major advancement towards realizing a net-zero carbon future.”
Adding further insights was Robert Elliott—a Professor at Birmingham—who highlighted: “The environmental advantages presented by BEVs are considerable as Europe progresses toward renewable energy sources. Despite initial production emissions being higher than average traditional vehicle outputs, enduring electric cars can swiftly mitigate their carbon footprints over time; thereby positioning themselves as sustainable long-term solutions.”
“This comprehensive analysis not only equips consumers with trustworthy data necessary for informed vehicle purchasing decisions but also offers policymakers foundational insights for developing around robust regulations plus incentives promoting durable green vehicular integration while strategizing end-of-life management.”
This inquiry emphasizes how technological progress is pivotal in facilitating our embrace of battery-powered transport systems—it sheds light on strategies surrounding fleet upgrades as well along with methodologies essential for efficiently recycling automobiles after their serviceable period ends.
Further Reading:
The Closing Longevity Gap between Battery Electric Vehicles and Internal Combustion Vehicles in Great Britain – Nature Energy (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41560-024-01698-1
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University of Birmingham
Citation:
Electric Vehicles Now Match Traditional Cars for Lifespan—Study Indicates (2025-edition Jan.,24). Retrieved January 24th from https://techxplore.com/news/2025-01-electric-vehicles-traditional-cars-longevity.html
