EVs face fewer recalls and service bulletins; defects are easily fixable
The safety and reliability of electric vehicles (EVs) was under a lot of scrutiny by the media, industry experts and consumers when these vehicles were first launched in the mainstream auto market in 2011. But, over the years, EV technology appears to have proven itself because much fewer defects are reported in electric cars as compared to diesel- or gas-powered cars.
Approximately 800,000 EVs and plug-in hybrids are presently running on the US roads; but the number of recalls and bulletins for these vehicles has been quite low.
Moreover, the defects which mostly prompt the recall of electric vehicles are generally not linked to the electric powertrains; though, in some cases, electric propulsion or fundamental technical shortcomings of batteries may be a reason for the recall. Whatever the reason, the defects in electric vehicles can usually be fixed easily.
The most recent recalls/bulletins of electric vehicles have been issued by Tesla and General Motors (GM). Tesla had issued a voluntary recall of over 120,000 Model S vehicles last week, due to the risk of power steering failure. This week, GM has issued a ‘customer-satisfaction bulletin’ for the owners of the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt electric car, for rolling out a software update.
In terms of specific figures related to vehicle recalls, data released by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration shows that the 2012-2016 average of recalls by the auto industry was 1,964 units per 1,000 cars; with Tesla having recalled only 941 cars per 1,000 during the period.
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