Are EVs More Reliable Than ICE Cars? New Data Challenges Old Beliefs

For years, the automotive world has treated internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles as the gold standard of long-term reliability. Dragging ultra-high-mileage Volvos and Mercedes-Benz models to the front pages of glossy enthusiast magazines to reinforce the point. 

But new data suggests that assumption is rapidly becoming outdated. The electric vehicle (EV), once dismissed as a short-range experiment, is proving to be every bit as durable, and in some cases, more so.

A recent study published in Nature Energy presents evidence that battery electric vehicles (BEVs) have surpassed the benchmarks of fossil fuel vehicles. The study, which examines over 300 million MOT records from 2005 to 2025, reveals that the average electric vehicle (EV) now has a lifespan of 18.4 years, with a maximum mileage of up to 124,000 miles. That’s more than the average petrol vehicle of the same generation, a statistic that flips the script on its head. 

The Turning Point for Electric Reliability

Early BEVs certainly had a rough start. Limited range, battery degradation, and infrastructure concerns. But as this study shows, the evolution of EV technology has been dramatic and swift. Reliability improvements have occurred at a pace ICE vehicles can no longer match.

Where, after a century of innovation, the internal combustion engine’s development has largely plateaued, EV power is on a sharp upward curve. It’s not just that they can match historic reliability standards, but they’re exceeding them faster than comparable ICE cars.

Sustainability Is the Ultimate Bonus

Reliability aside, BEVs have another major advantage: sustainability. As Professor Robert Elliott of the University of Birmingham points out, the long life of modern BEVs makes them a key weapon in reducing transport emissions. Though they come with a higher manufacturing carbon footprint, their extended lifespan allows them to offset that initial cost and emerge as the potentially greener long-term choice.

The Verdict

It’s time to retire the myth that EVs are less reliable than ICE cars. They’re not. They’re evolving faster, breaking records, and rewriting what we should expect from a vehicle’s lifespan.

Despite this data, EVs are not immune to faults. At ACTRONICS, we’re expanding our range of EV-focused remanufacturing solutions. You can browse our full range of EV repairs here.