20 Issues With Electric Vehicles (EVs) That Owners Complain About The Most

The world is inevitably transitioning towards more sustainable transportation. With that in mind, electric vehicles (EVs) have emerged as a promising solution; fighting climate change and reducing the world’s reliance on fossil fuels. However, the widespread adoption of EV’s is not without its challenges. EV owners often face a laundry list of problems that can impact their ownership experience. Let’s take a look at the 20 most common electric vehicle issues owners complain about:

1. Limited Model Variety

One common complaint among EV owners is how limited available models are compared to traditional gas-powered ones. This lack of options can and has deterred consumers who are looking for specific features or functionalities.¹

2. Higher Upfront Costs

The initial price tag that comes with electric vehicles tends to be higher than their gasoline alternatives, but potential long-term savings should always be a considered factor when buying.²

Read More: Doomsday Clock Still 90 Seconds to Midnight in 2024 Update

3. Longer Wait Times for Repairs

Electric vehicle issues happen, and often require specialized expertise and components to get the problem solved. This takes time, usually longer than normal repairs.

4. Limited Range

EVs are still facing skepticism for their shorter driving range. Especially considering areas with few areas to set up charging ports, drivers would be forced to buy the expensive charging station and be limited to their area for driving for the most part if going out and about.

5. Performance in Extreme Weather

Battery performance and driving range have been shown to be affected by adverse weather and lower temperatures, leading to even more electric vehicle issues.

6. Resource Scarcity for Batteries

Speaking of batteries, ones for EVs rely on lithium and cobalt, which are not exactly in high supply and as such, are very expensive.

Read More: Upcoming Solar Eclipse Could Lead to Over 1,000 Car Crash Deaths, Study Warns

7. Battery Degradation

Over time, EV batteries aren’t able to hold a charge nearly as well, raising questions about long-term reliability and resale value.

8. Limited Availability of Charging Stations 

Public charging facilities are a must for people with EVs. If you live in a rural area, this is one of many electric vehicle issues that pose a significant obstacle for new EV owners, especially during long-distance travel.

9. Weight and Handling

Many of these electric vehicle issues are caused by the battery. The substantial weight of an EV battery can create handling and braking issues, increasing maintenance needs over time (which, again, take longer). 

10. Long Charging Times

Unless you’re paying for a supercharger, recharging your EV takes longer than fuelling up for gas. This is inconvenient for drivers and encourages a home charging setup, which is a costly endeavor.

Read More: What Would It Look Like If Birds Left Tracks In The Sky?

11. Software Reliability and Security

Another electric vehicle issue is how updated and upgraded EVs try to be. Since they rely heavily on software, there are concerns about reliability against and vulnerability to hacking, which requires robust cybersecurity measures, instead of sticking to a more analog approach (we’re looking at you, Tesla).

12. Mining Impacts

The mining processes required for those scarce battery elements have led to environmental and social consequences, posing ethical dilemmas for the reputation of an EV’s sustainability.

13. Quality Control Issues

Owners have reported issues in the car’s build, poor paint jobs, and panel alignment problems, causing concern over manufacturing quality.

14. Self-Driving Software Concerns

Tesla owners have specifically expressed disappointment with the performance of its self-driving software. Issues of phantom braking and unpredictable behavior have been cited.

15. Insurance Costs

EV owners have also often faced higher insurance premiums due to how insurance pricing works. With the nature expensive nature of EVs and the costly repairs associated with them, insurance companies value the vehicle as more high-end and take into account the higher cost they will have to take on should the company require repair. 

16. Noiseless Operation Hazards

This major electric vehicle issue actually comes from one of its main draws.  The noiseless nature of EVs has raised safety concerns for pedestrians, cyclists, and visually impaired individuals. Since they can’t hear you coming at all, the need for artificial noise generation has been tabled (which is really a ridiculous thing to need to do).

17. Tesla Service Center Issues

Tesla owners have reported issues with long wait times, poor repair jobs, and massive prices attached to the company’s service centers, which has rightfully affected their overall ownership experience.

18. Door Handle Problems

Some Tesla owners have had issues with their door handles breaking off or malfunctioning, leading to frustration and inconvenience.

19. At-Home Charger Costs

As previously touched on, fast-charging home chargers are a serious, unexpected expense, which is something to concede when taking into account the overall cost of owning an EV.

Read More: Mexican Engineer Uses Recycled Plastic to Build Earthquake Resistant Houses

20. Range Anxiety

Even with the advancements EVs have made, owners are still experiencing range anxiety, especially during long-haul trips. Tesla’s extensive Supercharger network has mitigated this concern for many though.

Hope for the Future

Electric vehicles represent a significant step towards sustainable transportation, but their adoption comes with its fair share of challenges. EV owners grapple with various hurdles in their ownership journey but remain committed to their electric vehicles. Driven by the desire to contribute to a greener future, technology will continue to hopefully address these issues and better encourage EV adoption.

Read More: The Atlantic Ocean Could Be Swallowed by a Terrifying ‘Ring of Fire’