The 4 Most Common Reasons Electric Vehicles Need Roadside Assistance

Electric vehicles offer many benefits, from reduced emissions to generally lower running and maintenance costs, making them a worthwhile investment for the future. In fact, many people are jumping into the EV market, with more manufacturers releasing improved models that bridge the gap between electric and combustion engine vehicles.

However, despite their benefits, electric vehicles aren’t free from issues. Like any vehicle, they are susceptible to wear and tear, while outside influences may also cause damage, leading many to require roadside assistance.

Let’s take a closer look at the 4 most common reasons electric vehicles need roadside assistance:

Running Out of Battery Charge
It’s a basic issue with a simple fix but running out of battery charge remains the most common reason for electric vehicles needing roadside assistance. Essentially, it’s the equivalent of running out of gas during a commute!

While the batteries of EVs have vastly improved in just a few short years, they still only provide a limited charge, and many people forget to keep an eye on this. Also, because there are fewer public charge points, many struggle to recharge the battery when out and about, leading many to run of charge and require roadside assistance.

Dead Battery
This isn’t the same the battery dying in a combustion engine vehicle, but rather the electric battery that provides the EV with power. Again, lithium-ion battery technology for electric vehicles has come leaps and bounds in recent years, but they are still susceptible to degradation like any other battery.

Newer EVs come with much better batteries than older models, but they are still going to need to be replaced at some stage. This is happening more often with older EVs that have been on the road for a while, causing the battery to take less charge and eventually die altogether.

Unfortunately for some, this happens during a commute, resulting in the need for roadside assistance.

Brake Issues
Some EV breakdown problems are much the same as all other vehicles! Brakes are a common reason for any breakdown, mainly because they wear over time so the pads and rotors need replaced. While EVs use regenerative braking systems that slows down wear and tear, it still occurs over time and may lead to a breakdown.

Tires
Another common vehicle issue that also effects electric cars is tire troubles. This may be from general wear on the treads or due to an object on the road that punctures the tread, with tire failure frequently causing EVs to need roadside assistance.
In fact, many electric vehicles are heavier than their combustion engine counterparts, with the battery system adding significant weight. This in turn puts more pressure on the tires, so tread wear may occur quicker!