'Out of charge' breakdowns plummet, reports AA

A new statistical analysis by The AA finds that the proportion of electric vehicles (EVs) running out of charge in the UK has reached its lowest this year, as revealed today (21st November 2024) by the AA president at the Transport + Energy Forum at Warwick University.

The figures show ‘out of charge’ EV breakdowns, which are calculated as a percentage of all EV breakdowns, are at a record low in 2024 of 1.85 per cent. The rolling twelve-month figure for 2023 was 2.26 per cent, with rates being at 3.72 per cent, 4.28 per cent, and 4.89 per cent for years 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Since 2015, when the proportion of ‘out of charge’ EVs was at 8.26 per cent, this figure has been on a downward trend, apart from slight blips in 2017 (7.64 per cent) and 2019 (6.95 per cent).

The UK trajectory for EV breakdowns for the UK’s leading breakdown organisation remains very similar to NAF in Norway, AA’s equivalent, which has the highest penetration of EVs in Europe. New battery technology, better range, improved charging performance and reliability, charge post support and better driver and dealer knowledge have all helped. Consequently, The AA expects figures to drop to one per cent, which is roughly the proportion of Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) cars running out of petrol or diesel.

The AA deals with approximately 8,000 breakdowns each day across all vehicle categories, but only deals with five or six 'out of charge' vehicles per day. Often the vehicles are not actually ‘out of charge’ but are low on charge, or unable to charge due to technical problems, leaving the driver worried about getting to the next charger.

The AA has also found the top 30 per cent of breakdown faults for EVs are almost identical to petrol and diesel cars which tend to be tyres, wheels and the 12V battery.

Edmund King, AA president, said: “The AA’s latest figures show that less than two per cent of EV breakdowns are for ‘out of charge’ which suggests range anxiety should be a thing of the past. Many of the ‘out of charge’ breakdowns aren’t on zero charge but are either low on charge or experiencing technical problems such as the vehicle charge point covers sticking.

"The AA has the biggest database of breakdowns in the UK and our figures clearly show that year on year the proportion of EVs running out of charge has dropped dramatically.

“Many drivers are excited about the technology that EVs offer but are still unsure about what it takes to own, charge and live with one. The EV transition is revolutionary, and drivers that want clear leadership, authoritative advice, and support to help them on this journey.”