Tesla introduces one of the first Model 3 cars off the production line during an event at the company's facilities in Fremont, California on July 28. Photo: Reuters
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https://scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/2116225/electric-cars-get-high-marks-reliability-teslas-new United States & Canada
Electric cars get high marks for reliability, with Tesla’s new Model 3 set to achieve ‘average’ rating: Consumer Reports
Tesla Model 3 cars at the company’s Fremont facility in California. Photo: Reuters
Testing and consumer surveys show electric vehicles are more reliable than internal combustion automobiles, the head of automotive testing for Consumer Reports said Thursday.
“Electric cars are very reliable,” Jake Fisher said, revealing the latest findings from the magazine’s influential auto tests.
“Electric vehicles are inherently less complicated than petrol or hybrid alternatives,” he added.
Having dispensed with the fuel and cooling systems found in petrol- or diesel-powered vehicles, electric cars also avoid parts that wear out and require replacement, such as filters and spark plugs.
In testing, Chevrolet’s new all-electric Bolt EV proved highly dependable, according to Consumer Reports, a non-profit organisation which accepts no advertising.
“This is actually one of the most reliable vehicles in the General Motors fleet,” Fisher said of the Bolt.
Consumer Reports has not yet tested the new Tesla Model 3 but anticipates that it will also score well for reliability, according to Fisher, who based his prediction on the results of continuing tests of Tesla’s Model S and X. The three Tesla models share the same basic technology.
The predicted the Model 3 would achieve an “average” rating – a notable achievement for a first iteration.
“They realise that it’s important to get this car [the Model 3] right,” Fisher said of Tesla in an interview. “We would’ve not predicted average for the Model 3 unless we saw above-average data for the Model S. If the Model S was still just average, we would’ve not made that prediction.”
The magazine’s consumer surveys have given the Model X lower marks because of the complexity of controls for front seats and infotainment systems, but this was unrelated to the car’s driving characteristics.
According to Fischer, data from Consumer Reports shows that growing pains for new models are common. A survey of 640,000 consumers showed all-new or updated models are more likely than prior models to develop engine problems, jerky transmissions or suffer failures in hi-tech features.
To reduce emissions, authorities in China, Britain, France and California have put increasing pressure on carmakers to develop more electric vehicles.
Driving range has been a major drawback, hindering more widespread adoption. The new version of the Nissan Leaf, among the most popular models of electric car, will have a range of 240km. Charging stations are also still scarce.
The market research firm ON World found that half of all electric vehicle drivers are concerned about the availability of public charging stations.
There are about 16,000 such stations in the US versus 121,000 service stations, according to government statistics.