New research has revealed which electric cars are the most reliable, with many popular EVs placing high on the list, although motorists could be slapped with huge repair bills.
The Nissan Leaf has been ranked as the nation's most dependable EV, recording warranty claims on merely 3.06 per cent of vehicles.
The electric car is arguably the benchmark for EVs, having been the world's first mass-market zero emission vehicle, with a refreshed version expected soon.
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While prices have not yet been announced for the new Leaf, Nissan promises up to 375 miles of battery range and rapid charging times of just 30 minutes to charge from 20 to 80 per cent.
Motorists could be slapped with huge repair bills when driving popular electric cars
|GETTY/PA
Following the Leaf's strong performance, the MG ZS EV secured second position with 4.76 per cent of vehicles experiencing faults, whilst maintaining the study's lowest repair expenses at £225.90.
The premium Audi e-Tron achieved third place, recording warranty claims on 5.56 per cent of vehicles with repair costs averaging below £310.
The comprehensive analysis of real-world repair data reveals stark contrasts in fault rates between manufacturers.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, half of all Tesla Model S vehicles required warranty repairs, marking it as the least reliable model studied.
The Nissan Leaf was ranked as the most reliable electric car
|NISSAN
Among the poorest performers, the Volkswagen e-Golf registered faults in one-third of vehicles, whilst a quarter of Kia E-Niro models required warranty work.
The Jaguar I-Pace presented dual concerns, combining a 21.43 per cent fault rate with substantial repair bills averaging £1,353.69.
Unexpectedly, the Vauxhall Corsa Electric, despite moderate reliability at 9.68 per cent claims, commanded the highest repair costs at a staggering £2,261.88.
Martin Binnee, operations director at Warranty Solutions Group, said: "These findings are a wake-up call for both EV buyers and dealers.
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"This isn't just about selling warranties; it's about safeguarding the long-term EV ownership experience."
Binnee emphasised that whilst electric vehicles appear economical due to reduced mechanical complexity, the situation proves more complex. He highlighted the necessity for specialised warranty protection tailored to electric vehicles.
The financial burden extends beyond individual models, with premium vehicles commanding particularly steep repair bills.
The Porsche Taycan averages £1,750.16 per warranty claim, while Tesla's Model 3 requires £470.89 for typical repairs.
Most reliable electric vehicles by claim rate
- Nissan Leaf - 3.06 per cent
- MG ZS - 4.76 per cent
- Audi e-tron - 5.56 per cent
- Renault Zoe - 7.14 per cent
- Volkswagen ID.3 - 7.25 per cent
- Vauxhall Corsa - 9.68 per cent
- Porsche Taycan - 13.46 per cent
- Tesla Model 3 - 15.74 per cent
- Polestar 2 - 16 per cent
- Jaguar I-Pace - 21.43 per cent
- Kia e-Niro - 25 per cent
- Volkswagen e-Golf - 33.33 per cent
- Tesla Model S - 50 per cent