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The recent JD Power study looked at responses from nearly 100,000 people who had bought new cars 90 days earlier. The survey included 207 questions covering various aspects like infotainment, driving assistance, interiors, and driving experience.
For the first time, the survey also included real-world repair visit data, providing a comprehensive look at car ownership in 2024. It was then reported that, on average, petrol and diesel cars had 180 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100).
However, for EVs, this number increased to 226 problems per 100 vehicles. This means EVs had more issues and required more trips to the repair shop than their gas-powered counterparts. Also, as per the survey results, EVs and plug-in hybrids required more repairs than their ICE-powered counterparts across all 10 categories.
These 10 categories include infotainment, features, controls and displays, exterior, driving assistance, interior, powertrain, seats, driving experience, climate, and unspecified (unique to repair).
Frank Hanley, senior director of auto benchmarking at J.D. Power, said, “It is not surprising that the introduction of new technology has challenged manufacturers to maintain vehicle quality.” He added, “However, the industry can take solace in the fact that some problem areas, such as voice recognition and parking cameras, are seen as less problematic now than they were a year ago.”
The study also found that there are several specific factors that contribute to the higher problem rates for EVs. These include false warnings and alerts from advanced driver assistance systems, such as rear cross-traffic warnings and reverse automatic emergency braking. Many drivers complained that this was a major frustration.
The report also highlighted that these systems, intended to enhance safety, often irritate owners with inaccurate alerts. Additionally, features like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay continue to be problematic. Users reported that frequent connectivity issues are plaguing the system and causing irritation.
The category of features, controls, and displays is particularly troublesome for EVs. The JD Power study revealed that the problem incidence is 30% higher than in petrol-powered vehicles. Additionally, it has been reported that Tesla Inc., which is a major player in the EV market, has increased these issues by removing traditional feature controls like turn signal and wiper stalks.
The Indian EV Market
In India, the situation is also not very different. Many Indian EV owners have also reported similar issues compared to their ICE counterparts. The EV market in India is still suffering from problems related to battery performance, charging infrastructure, and software reliability.
Many Indian consumers have faced difficulties with the availability and reliability of charging stations. This issue has become a critical factor for the widespread adoption of EVs. Apart from these, EV owners have shared numerous other issues related to owning EVs.
The Future of Mobility
With every passing day, we are finding new studies that reveal EVs might not be the future of mobility as they have been touted to be by governments across the globe. The prime example of this is the assumption that EVs are inherently more reliable and require less maintenance, which is being challenged by real-world data.
The higher incidence of problems and the frequent need for repairs indicate that the transition to EVs may be more complex and problematic than initially anticipated. In addition, the significant issues related to the technology in EVs highlight a broader concern.
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