Electric vehicles have 79 per cent more reliability issues than traditional (gas-engine) vehicles, including battery wear and software glitches, some of which could impact long-term durability, according to European online auction platform eCarsTrade.
However, EV drivers are also starting to face lesser known issues. Based on Filipp Sevostianov, CEO of eCarsTrade, one of those problems is that regenerative braking makes EV drivers nauseous. Although it improves efficiency, the company said motion sickness is a side effect for some drivers — worsened in stop-and-go traffic.
Sevostianov said consumers need to “lower regenerative braking settings when carrying motion-sensitive passengers and drive with smooth, gradual speed changes” — an update dealers can pass on to customers when providing them with information about their potential purchase.
eCarsTrade also highlighted EV weight as a problem, as it wears down tires and infrastructure. They said the vehicles are 400 to 1,000 pounds heavier than their comparable gas models. That extra mass can cause tires to wear out 30–50 per cent faster.
Sevostianov said consumers need to “check tire tread monthly and avoid overloading your vehicle.” Although dealers may take a different approach when providing this information to consumers, tire wear is an important factor to review.
Other issues that may be lesser known to consumers include minor water leaks that can cause major EV problems, as it can reach critical wiring and trigger costly repairs. Dealers may typically recommend regular inspections. And “false braking,” triggered by shadows, road signs, or harmless objects mean consumers may need to adjust their EV’s automatic emergency braking sensitivity in settings.
