In a recent survey conducted by Consumer Reports, it has been found that electric vehicles (EVs) are significantly less reliable than gas-powered cars or hybrid vehicles. The annual car reliability survey, based on responses from over 330,000 vehicle owners, disclosed that EVs are 79 percent more likely to experience problems compared to conventional cars.

According to the survey, consumers reported that electric drive motors, charging infrastructure, and EV batteries were the most common issues associated with EVs. These findings indicate that there may be "growing pains" among EVs, particularly as they are built upon new technology or produced by emerging companies like Rivian. Jake Fisher, the senior director of auto testing at Consumer Reports, suggests that companies need time to resolve these issues and "work out the bugs."

Despite the overall lower reliability of electric vehicles, Consumer Reports specifically recommended Tesla's Model 3 and Model Y for those interested in buying an electric car. Steven Elek, who heads the auto data analytics program at Consumer Reports, stated that Tesla's components are generally reliable. However, Elek noted that Tesla still struggles with the build quality of its electric cars.

When comparing vehicle types, hybrid vehicles emerged as the most reliable option. According to Consumer Reports, hybrid vehicles experience 26 percent fewer problems than their gas-powered counterparts. This higher reliability is likely due to the fact that hybrid vehicles have been on the market for a longer period and are manufactured by companies known for producing reliable vehicles overall, such as Toyota, Hyundai, and Kia.

On the other hand, plug-in hybrids were found to have the highest number of issues among the surveyed vehicles. The survey indicated that plug-in hybrids face 146 percent more problems than gas-powered cars.

These findings come at a time when the Biden administration and Democratic-led states are pushing for a significant increase in the number of EVs on the road in the next decade. Under new Environmental Protection Agency regulations, it is projected that 67 percent of new light-duty passenger cars sold in the U.S. could be electric by 2032.

While electric vehicles are gaining popularity due to their environmental benefits and potential cost savings, the consumer feedback regarding their reliability raises important considerations for prospective buyers and the industry as a whole. As manufacturers continue to work on improving the reliability of electric vehicles, it remains to be seen how these advancements will shape the future of the automotive landscape.