The proportion of electric vehicles running out of charge has dropped to the lowest-ever level, new AA analysis reveals.

‘Out of charge’ EV breakdowns are at a record low of less than 2% compared to 8.26% in 2015

The data shows ‘out of charge’ EV breakdowns, calculated as a percentage of all EV breakdowns, are at a record low in 2024 of just 1.85%. The rolling 12-month figure for 2023 was 2.26% .

In 2015 the proportion of ‘out of charge’ EVs stood at 8.26% and has been on a downward trend apart from slight blips in 2017 and 2019.

New battery technology, better range, improved charging performance and reliability, charge post support and better driver and dealer knowledge have all helped reduce such breakdowns.

The UK trajectory for EV breakdowns from the AA data also remains very similar to the AA’s equivalent, NAF in Norway, which has the highest penetration of EVs in Europe.

The AA said it expects the figure to drop to 1%, which is roughly the proportion of ICE cars running out of petrol or diesel.

The AA deals with approximately 8,000 breakdowns each day across all vehicle categories but only deals with five or six out-of-charge vehicles per day. Often the vehicles are not actually ‘out of charge’ but are low on charge, or not able to charge due to technical problems, leaving the driver worried about getting to the next charger.

The AA has also found the top 30% of breakdown faults for EVs are almost identical to petrol and diesel cars, which tend to be tyres, wheels and the 12V battery.

AA EVs ‘Out of Charge’ breakdowns as share of workload

2015 – 8.26%

2016 – 7.12%

2017 – 7.64%

2018 – 6.83%

2019 – 6.95%

2020 – 4.89%

2021 – 4.28%

2022 – 3.72%

2023 – 2.26%

2024 – 1.85%

AA president Edmund King, who is revealing these latest figures today (21 November) at the Transport + Energy Forum at Warwick University, said the data shows range anxiety should be a thing of the past.

King commented: “The AA has the biggest database of breakdowns in the UK and our figures clearly show that year on year the proportion of EVs running out of charge has dropped dramatically.

“In fact, in the last eight years the proportion of EVs running out of charge has dropped by about 80% which is due to an increase in the number of chargers and their reliability; better charge post support for customers; improved range on newer EVs; and better driver education and information.

“We understand why many drivers have been hesitant about switching to EVs as it is a major change, but it is important that their decisions are based on accurate information. Once drivers have made the switch, the vast majority enjoy the ride and won’t go back. Now is a brilliant time to switch as both new and used EVs are massively discounted, full of exciting tech, and for those who can charge at home, the economics and savings are a no-brainer.”