The AA has disputed claims that electric vehicles struggle to cope with the cold weather as the number of call outs for battery failures during the wintery months drops.
In January, the organisation said only two per cent of all call outs were for batteries running out of power, the lowest level since September 2023.
AA President Edmund King explained that electric car batteries were mainly failing across the US with very few breaking down in the UK.
He said: “There is no evidence that the UK’s colder weather means EVs struggle, even if range is slightly reduced.
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Car batteries were mainly failing across the US, Edmund King said
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“Of course, EVs, like all types of vehicles, are not as efficient in the extreme cold, but our data showed they worked well in January in the UK.
“Drivers accept that range will be diminished, particularly if the cold means that drivers are using in-car heating and blowers.”
Thinking of ways to avoid getting EVs into difficulty, King said drivers should adapt to the colder conditions by pre-heating and de-icing vehicles remotely before leaving home.
He continued to say how vital is it that drivers are encouraged to switch to electric motoring when they are ready to do so by purchase incentives, enhanced charging infrastructure and “accurate information rather than myths”.
He added: “It is not surprising that some drivers are hesitant to switch as the combustion engine has been with us for well over 100 years. Once drivers have made the switch they will not look back.”
The proportion of EV callouts received by the AA for batteries having limited or no charge was roughly eight per cent in 2015, dropping to four per cent in 2021, and two per cent last year.
The decrease in charging problems was primarily sparked by the Government taking more interest in EVs and planting more charging points nationwide.
The number of callouts for EV battery faults is expected to drop further to one per cent which would be on the same scale as petrol and diesel car breakdowns running out of fuel.
Speaking previously to Martin Daubney on GB News, King urged electric car owners to take precautions when charging in freezing temperatures.
He said: “When it's colder, all cars suffer. An electric car suffers when it's colder in terms of their range, something like when it’s freezing, it’s estimated that the range is reduced from 10 per cent to 20 per cent.
“But most drivers know that so they compensate for it in the winter. There are things you can do to mitigate it.
“If you’re charging at home you can actually set your charger to come on earlier, to pre-heat the battery, to pre-heat the car.”
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Electric car owners are warned of a 'slightly reduced' range
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With the UK heading more towards an EV-centered society, discounts on new electric vehicles have risen by 204 per cent since last January as car manufacturers work to increase sales.
Research by What Car? found discounts worth £3,149 on new EVs and combined cash and finance discount for EVs worth £4,603.
