As the wheels of progress turn toward a sustainable automotive future, the road to widespread electric vehicle (EV) adoption in the UK seems to be winding through unexpected and costly terrain. Recent revelations about the surging insurance premiums for electric cars, coupled with rising concerns about battery fires and write-offs, are casting a shadow on the green revolution.
According to data from Confused.com, the average insurance costs for electric vehicles in the UK experienced a staggering 72% increase in the year leading up to September, dwarfing the comparatively modest 29% rise for petrol and diesel models. This alarming surge in insurance expenses has been attributed to a myriad of factors, including higher repair costs, longer repair times, and a striking 25% increase in EV claims compared to their combustion-engine counterparts.
Research from Thatcham, an automotive research center, further illuminates the challenges faced by insurers in the electric vehicle realm. Electric vehicle claims not only tend to be a quarter higher than traditional combustion equivalents but also require an extended repair duration, taking 14% longer to get EVs back on the road. The combination of soaring costs and volatile outcomes has led to a concerning trend – many electric vehicles are being written off for damage that traditional vehicles would easily withstand.
A notable aspect contributing to this unwelcome trend is the specter of battery fires. The intricate and powerful batteries that propel EVs forward pose unique challenges in the event of an accident, often resulting in irreparable damage. Insurers, wary of the potential financial fallout from these incidents, are adjusting premiums to account for the higher risk associated with electric vehicles.
Interestingly, across the Atlantic, a similar story unfolds. A study conducted in the United States reveals that Tesla drivers are involved in more accidents than drivers of any other brand. With 23.54 accidents per 1,000 drivers, Tesla outpaces other brands, such as Ram (22.76) and Subaru (20.90), in accident frequency.
The confluence of these factors paints a complex picture for the future of electric vehicles. While EVs are championed for their environmental benefits and cutting-edge technology, the financial burden placed on drivers and insurers alike may slow down the transition away from traditional combustion engines.
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the rates in US are also increasing..
It found that Tesla drivers are involved in more accidents than drivers of any other brand. Tesla drivers had 23.54 accidents per 1,000 drivers. Ram (22.76) and Subaru (20.90) were the only other brands with more than 20 accidents per 1,000…
— THE NEW GEKKO 🇺🇸 (@TheNewGekko) January 25, 2024
Electric vehicles: insurers balk at battery fires and write-offs
Average electric car insurance costs rose 72 per cent in the year to September, compared with 29 per cent for petrol and diesel models, according to Confused. com.
EV claims are typically 25 per cent higher than… pic.twitter.com/gKBXMpoCS4
— Tracy (𝒞𝒽𝒾 ) (@chigrl) October 28, 2023