Common problems with electric cars.
Learn about common faults with electric cars. And compare car cover for your electric or hybrid vehicle with Tesco Car Insurance.
Published: 30 January 2026
Is it worth buying an electric car?
Electric cars can be more expensive to buy, but they’re generally cheaper to run than a petrol or diesel vehicle. You’ll also be doing your bit for the environment if you go electric. Electric and petrol cars produce the same level of emissions when they’re being built, but the carbon cost of electric cars is offset when they’re out on the road. So they’re more sustainable in the long run.
By 2030, 80% of new cars being sold in the UK will be electric. And that’ll rise to 100% by 2035, to meet the Government's targets.* If you’re making the switch to electric, it’s worth comparing cover with electric car insurance. And, after considering cost, it’s worth taking some time to think about the things that can go wrong.
What are common electric car faults?
Electric cars are more reliable now than when they first started appearing on the roads around 10 years ago. There are more places to charge your car now as well, both locally and as you travel up and down the country. But that doesn’t mean life’s an open road if you go electric.
It’s a good idea to do some research, to see if one make or model appears to be more reliable than another. And make yourself aware of common problems with electric cars if you’re going to drive one.
EV battery issues
The battery is arguably the most important part of an electric car. It’s what gives you the power to get from A to B. And, just like the battery in your mobile phone, you need it to be reliable.
With an electric car, how far your battery will get you is known as the range. It usually depends on the make and model, and, as with phones and laptops, the capacity of the battery itself.
Your car’s battery will also degrade over time, just like your phone’s, which means it won’t always hold a full charge. It’s perfectly normal. But it’s always best to read the manufacturer’s instructions on charging your battery so it doesn’t degrade quicker than it should.
It’s also worth knowing that some electric cars now come with longer warranties to guard against problems with the battery.
Software problems
This isn’t unique to electric cars, so it’s worth noting, whatever kind of car you’re buying. The newer a car is, the more computerised it is, which means there could be more potential for something to go wrong.
Problems can range from screen glitches to your car’s computer system not working because of an update. And some manufacturers are moving to a subscription model, so you might have to pay extra to unlock functionality that's already built in.
There’s not a lot you can do about it. But again, it’s worth looking into before you buy, to see if one make or model’s software appears to be more reliable than another.
Charging equipment failures
If you’re getting a charging point installed at home, make sure it’s fitted by a professional and properly maintained. If you need to rely on public charging points, you might find that some of them are less reliable than others.
What if your electric car battery runs out of charge while you’re driving?
Most electric cars should give you an accurate estimate of the range. So keeping your battery charged shouldn’t be a problem. But if your car does lose power, the advice is the same for breaking down in any car.
- Pull over safely to the side of the road or stop where it’s safe to do so. Pull over safely to the side of the road or stop where it’s safe to do so.
- Turn your hazard warning lights on and get out of the car.Turn your hazard warning lights on and get out of the car.
- Make sure you stand somewhere safe - behind the barrier, if there is one - away from your car and passing traffic.Make sure you stand somewhere safe - behind the barrier, if there is one - away from your car and passing traffic.
Once you’re safely out of the car, call a recovery company if you need help. If you have breakdown cover, contact your insurance company or provider to report a breakdown.
With Tesco Car Insurance, you can add Breakdown Cover as an optional extra for an additional cost.
What Tesco Car Insurance covers for electric cars
With our comprehensive car cover, you’ll get the following insurance for your electric car:
- Battery - cover for fire, theft and accidental damageBattery - cover for fire, theft and accidental damage
- Charging cable - cover for fire, theft and accidental damage, when kept with the car or being used at homeCharging cable - cover for fire, theft and accidental damage, when kept with the car or being used at home
- Liability cover - cover in case someone trips over the charging cable on the pavement or road outside your homeLiability cover - cover in case someone trips over the charging cable on the pavement or road outside your home
Tesco electric car insurance includes cover for electric and hybrid cars as standard. It comes with all levels of our comprehensive cover - whether you go for Bronze, Silver or Gold.
Collect Clubcard points when you charge your car at Tesco
At Tesco Insurance, we like to do our bit for the planet. And we know our customers do too.
That’s why we’ve got a little help for the eco-friendly driver. We’ve partnered with Pod Point, so you can charge your car at Tesco while you’re doing the weekly shop. What’s more, you’ll collect Clubcard points for whatever you spend on charging!
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Important information
Tesco Car Insurance is arranged and administered by Tesco Insurance and is underwritten by Tesco Underwriting Ltd.
You’ll find complete details of the cover, monetary limits, exclusions, excesses and terms in our policy documents.
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Learn about electric car insurance
Compare our Bronze, Silver and Gold comprehensive Car Insurance to find cover for your electric car. And save with your Clubcard. For drivers aged 21 and over.