The proportion of electric vehicles running out of charge this year in the UK has dropped to the lowest ever, according to new AA statistical analysis revealed at the Transport + Energy Forum.
The latest figures were shown by the AA president Edmund King OBE at the Forum, and when calculated as a percentage of all EV breakdowns, a record low was announced for 2024 of less than 2% (1.85%). The rolling 12-month figure for 2023 was 2.26%.
In 2015 the proportion of ‘out of charge’ EVs was running at 8.26% and has been on a downward trend apart from slight blips in 2017 and 2019.
The UK trajectory for EV breakdowns for the UK’s leading breakdown organisation remains very similar to The AA’s equivalent, NAF in Norway, 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. Ultimately, The AA expects the figures to drop to 1% which is roughly the proportion of ICE cars running out of petrol or diesel, it reported.
The AA deals with approximately 8,000 breakdowns each day across all vehicle categories but only deals with 5 or 6 out of charge vehicles per day.
Often the vehicles are not actually ‘out of charge’ but are low on charge, or not able to charge due to technical problems, leaving the driver worried about getting to the next charger.
The AA has also found the top 30% of breakdown faults for EVs are almost identical to petrol and diesel cars which tend to be tyres, wheels and the 12V battery.
AA EV’s ‘Out of Charge’ as share of workload:
- 2015 – 8.26%
- 2016 – 7.12%
- 2017 – 7.64%
- 2018 – 6.83%
- 2019 – 6.95%
- 2020 – 4.89%
- 2021 – 4.28%
- 2022 – 3.72%
- 2023 – 2.26%
- 2024 – 1.85%
Edmund King, AA president, said:
“The AA’s latest figures show that less than 2% 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.
“In fact, in the last eight years the proportion of EVs running out of charge has dropped by about 80% which is due to an increase in the number of chargers and their reliability; better charge post support for customers; improved range on newer EVs; and better driver education and information.
“We understand why many drivers have been hesitant about switching to EVs as it is a major change, but it is important that their decisions are based on accurate information. Once drivers have made the switch, the vast majority enjoy the ride and won’t go back. Now is a brilliant time to switch as both new and used EVs are massively discounted, full of exciting tech, and for those who can charge at home, the economics and savings are a no-brainer.
“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 want clear leadership, authoritative advice, and support to help them on this journey.”
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