this post was submitted on 29 Nov 2023
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Electric Vehicles

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cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/8938936

The annual car reliability survey by Consumer Reports found EVs are 79 percent more likely to have problems than conventional cars. Consumers reported electric drive motors, charging and EV batteries had the most common issues associated with EVs, according to the survey.

Jake Fisher, senior director of auto testing at Consumer Reports, noted that there may be “growing pains” among EVs because they are based on new technology or are being manufactured by new upstart companies, such as Rivian. He said companies “need some time to work out the bugs,” according to the magazine.

Plug-in hybrids are more likely to have more issues than gas-powered cars, EVs and hybrid vehicles. The survey said that plug-in hybrids have 146 percent more problems than gas-powered cars.

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[–] TropicalDingdong@lemmy.world 15 points 10 months ago (5 children)

Purely anecdotal, obv, but my ev experience has been diametrically opposed to this. Like 0 issue. None. Not one. Bought used. Have only had to put some air in the tires.

[–] DarkShaggy@lemmy.world 10 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Yeah same, 2 EVs over last 6-7 years and I'm down 1.5 sets of tires and 2 cabin filters.....

[–] TropicalDingdong@lemmy.world 7 points 10 months ago

Exactly. My maintenance costs are so negligible that it's a major consideration in why I'm adamant about my next vehicle also being electric. It seems like, privative, to think about getting a gas powered vehicle again.

And it makes sense.

Fewer moving parts. Less heat build up that has to be dealt with. It's not a bunch of hot metal shit trying to fling itself apart.

[–] huskypenguin@sh.itjust.works 9 points 10 months ago

I'm wondering if it's the American car makers that are weighing down the results. The bolt and lightning have had a lot of problems.

[–] Gr0mit@lemmy.world 7 points 10 months ago (1 children)

This is good to hear. It gives me hope that EVs can have a long life expectancy and might actually replace 20 yr old ICE cars.

[–] TropicalDingdong@lemmy.world 5 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Purely anecdotal, obv, but my ev experience has been diametrically opposed to this. Like 0 issue. None. Not one. Bought used. Have only had to put some air in the tires.

I mean, I strongly think so. The biggest issue is battery degradation, and mine is a gen 1 leaf, so, big issue there. However, I think that batteries have been showing a relatively substantial performance in terms of degradation over expected. Specifically, the more modern lithium iron phosphate chemistry (mine is the older cobalt chemistry). That being said, my lil' trooper is still pumping out the miles.

My EV mechanic wants to take my older EV and electrify my truck. I'm tempted, and if I can find another one so I can have duel motors, I'm going to seriously consider it.

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 2 points 10 months ago

duel motors

Will the motors be fighting each other? :)

[–] cosmic_slate@dmv.social 5 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (1 children)

Same. I don't know what car you have, but I have a Model Y that I got 3-weeks-short-of-2-years ago. The big issues I've had were resolved by software, so they were annoying for a bit of time but at least I wasn't stuck with them and I didn't have to go to the dealer for. Fortunately it looks like a lot of manufacturers are trying to go down this same route with their EVs as well.

My biggest test so far has been when I was rear ended by a F-150 several months ago on the highway. After replacing a few parts in the back, I haven't had any cascading failures with anything else in the car. No creaks, shakes, rumbles, whatever. The only issues were in the back of the car where it got hit.

I have one friend who has a car with occasional problems (worsened by the repair shop breaking stuff causing more visits, etc...), but everyone else in my circle with EVs has been fine.

[–] TropicalDingdong@lemmy.world 3 points 10 months ago (1 children)

when I was rear ended by a F-150

Sounds rough buddy. Mine is a 2011 Leaf, so like, geriatric by comparison.

No accidents but like, I don't do shiiiiiiiiiiiit to this car.

Since this is all anecdotal, the 'feel', I get from the whole thing is along the lines of like, one of those old think pads.

Like the battery is crap at this point, not worth replacing either. But the thing feels just.. tanky. And like, yeah the battery life has diminished, but its not really decreasing any further. I'm sure it will but its very gradual at this point. It feels like I'm going around with a gen one ipod when everyone has moved onto streaming, but the thing is a champ and it just works.

[–] cosmic_slate@dmv.social 5 points 10 months ago (1 children)

It's wild seeing how far some people have been refurbishing the batteries on their Leafs just to eek out more life on their cars, and without needing to do much else. I guess it's a testament to how well everything else holds up, especially at it's price point and age.

[–] TropicalDingdong@lemmy.world 3 points 10 months ago

It’s wild seeing how far some people have been refurbishing the batteries on their Leafs just to eek out more life on their cars, and without needing to do much else. I guess it’s a testament to how well everything else holds up, especially at it’s price point and age.

Yeah that battery chemistry really did not hold up. If they would have just added something like an all in one water cooler, probably would still have close to its max range.

I really think this is why the industry has such resistance to EVs. They simply will not need to be replaced as often (they said, ignoring the article stating otherwise).

[–] Diplomjodler@feddit.de 4 points 10 months ago

Me too. Absolutely nothing.

[–] JohnDClay@sh.itjust.works 8 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Hmm are the mishaps much less severe in EVs then? Because EVs spend much less in maintenance than ICE vehicles.

[–] huskypenguin@sh.itjust.works 6 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Yes. They say that in the article. Even though they're less reliable they're still cheaper to maintain.

[–] cosmic_slate@dmv.social 5 points 10 months ago

Plus it's insane the level of instrumentation that is used in all of the components. Between that and having fewer parts, I'd imagine it's much easier to pinpoint what needs to be replaced.

[–] jimmydoreisalefty@lemmy.world 3 points 10 months ago (1 children)

While the survey found that electric vehicles are still less reliable than gas-powered vehicles, Consumer Reports recommended Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y for those interested in purchasing an electric car. Steven Elek, who heads the auto data analytics program at Consumer Reports, said Tesla’s components are “generally reliable,” according to the magazine.

However, Elek added that Tesla still struggles with the build quality of its electric cars.

[–] drdabbles@lemmy.world 2 points 10 months ago

Struggles is putting it mildly, and when you have a problem they won't schedule you for months and they won't fix the problem when you have an appointment.