Germany, April 23, 2026 Electric vehicles (EVs) are less prone to breakdowns than traditional combustion engine cars, according to new data from Germany’s largest automobile association, ADAC.
Breakdown Statistics and Common Causes
The ADAC’s roadside assistance service was deployed nearly 3.7 million times in the previous year, highlighting the frequency of vehicle malfunctions across Germany. Regardless of the type of vehicle, the most common cause of breakdowns was a defect in the 12V battery, accounting for almost half of all cases.
The data reveals a clear disparity between EVs and combustion engine vehicles when it comes to reliability. While both types of vehicles suffer from 12V battery issues, combustion engines are more likely to experience additional failures due to their complex mechanical systems. Typical sources of error in these vehicles include components of the powertrain or fuel system, which are absent in electric models.
Why Electric Vehicles Are More Reliable
The main reason for the difference in breakdown rates lies in the design of electric vehicles. EVs have fewer wear-prone parts compared to their combustion engine counterparts. Components such as the drivetrain and fuel system, which are common sources of faults in traditional cars, are either simplified or entirely eliminated in electric models.