A new survey by Which? has found that new electric cars may be less reliable than their petrol and diesel models.
While it’s true that electric vehicles are becoming more popular in the UK, especially since the government announced that the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans will be banned in from 2030, and they are now said to be accounting for more than one in every six new cars registered in the UK last year, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, a new poll by the consumer group Which? has found that they may be unreliable.
More than 48,000 people told Which? about the nearly 57,000 cars they own and drive, which included 2,184 electric vehicles.
According to the poll, 31% of electric car owners have reported a problem with their vehicle in the first four years of owning it, which is compared with 19% of people with petrol cars, and 29% with diesel cars.
The survey also found that faulty electric vehicles spend longer off the road – five days, compared with just three and four days for petrol and diesel cars respectively.
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A new survey by Which? has found that new electric cars may be less reliable / Credit: Red Dot (via Unsplash)
It’s largely believed that electric cars are more reliable as they have fewer moving parts than petrol or diesel, but the survey appears to contradict this because the most common faults with electric vehicles were software issues, not motor or battery problems, according to the drivers surveyed by Which?.
Overall, the survey found that the most reliable cars of any fuel type were full hybrids.
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Which? said the poll results prove their is a “significant opportunity” for car manufacturers to “up their game” and provide drivers with more reliable cars.
Lisa Barber – home products and services editor at Which? – added: “We know that drivers are keen to make the move to more environmentally-friendly cars but it is vital that they are getting a quality product.
“With EVs in particular, our research shows a premium price tag does not necessarily mean a reliable vehicle, so we would always encourage drivers to do their research ahead of such a significant purchase to see which cars and brands they can trust.”
Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Emily Sergeant -
3rd March 2022 
