Electric car breakdowns rise as towing distances grow

Breakdowns involving electric cars have increased as their numbers on Finnish roads have grown, Yle reports. The most common problems involve tyres, charging cables and 12-volt batteries, rather than high-voltage batteries.

Fully electric cars accounted for 51.3 per cent of new car registrations in Finland from January to October. Their number on the roads also rose by more than 44,000 between the start of the year and October, according to the article.

The Finnish Automobile Association recorded 8,315 assistance cases involving electric cars by early October, compared with 7,743 during all of last year. The most frequent causes were tyre problems, stuck charging cables, issues with the 12-volt starter battery and other technical faults. About one in four cars can be fixed at the roadside.

Redgo Finland chief executive Magnus Lindgren said the rise in callouts was mainly due to the growing number of electric cars. The company has also found that electric cars are less likely than conventional cars to be repaired at the roadside. After a puncture, for example, they are often taken to a workshop or tyre shop because of their weight.

Towing trips for electric cars are typically longer than for petrol and diesel cars because not all workshops service them. Cars still under warranty are usually taken to an authorised dealer, with the manufacturer covering towing costs. Service networks are extensive for the largest brands but remain small for newer ones, said Eemeli Mäkinen of the Automobile Association.

Cars outside warranty are often taken to Kokkolan Autohuolto, a repair shop in Kokkola, from across Finland. Its electric-car specialist Jesse Haapala repairs and replaces individual components, which can significantly reduce costs, particularly for older electric cars, according to towing companies Redgo and Erikssons Bilbärgning.