High-Mileage Electric Cars Are More Durable Than Petrol Vehicles, Study Finds

But electric cars aren’t really that new anymore. And it turns out EVs look pretty good, according to a new study. These tests focus on a car’s suspension, brakes, tires, exhaust, and emissions. But that changes once you get to higher mileage numbers – past 40,000 miles lifetime. At that point, petrol cars are less reliable, and the reliability only gets worse over time. The same goes for age, as cars get older the EVs remain more reliable. That’s despite higher annual mileage from EVs no matter where they are in their age bracket. The study also compared vehicles that have an electric and a petrol version side by side. This is despite the compromised BEV design of these multi-powertrain vehicles. This weight discrepancy led to higher tire wear for BEVs. Across the board, BEVs did have significantly higher tire wear than petrol vehicles. While weight did have an effect on tire wear, it didn’t have an effect on suspension. The study found that BEVs suffered fewer suspension problems than petrol vehicles, no matter the mileage. The BEV version outperformed the diesel version, except on tire wear.

However, from around 60,000 miles the pattern changes markedly. What this data shows is that mileage alone should not put consumers off. A well-maintained, higher-mileage electric car can be an extremely durable used vehicle. Nor does the longevity appear to be explained by old EVs becoming low-mileage second cars. Once we compare cars of the same age and mileage, something striking happens. That is powerful evidence for anyone considering a used EV. High mileage isn’t a proxy for poor condition in the way buyers have traditionally assumed.”

What this data shows is that mileage alone should not put consumers off. A well-maintained, higher-mileage electric car can be an extremely durable used vehicle.”