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.”
If you need bringing up to speed a little, as part of the ongoing £150m investment into Greater Manchester’s tram network, essential improvement work is being carried out on three major Metrolink lines across the region in a bid to make the network ‘safer’ and ‘more resilient and reliable for passengers’ for years to come.
This means that from today (Monday 19 October) through to Sunday 1 November, tram improvement works will take place at Deansgate-Castlefield, and Trafford Bar.
Additional works will also take place in the city centre during this time, allowing TfGM to keep closures of the tram network to a minimum.
During the dates above, no trams will run on the Altrincham, Trafford Centre, and Eccles lines.
A number of shuttle bus services will the running over the course of the two-week closure, however – with services arriving every 10 or 15 minutes, depending on the line, and you can find a full list of these here.
But despite the alternative services, widespread disruption is still expected for hundreds of people.
TfGM has issued a statement on the works being carried out, and offered support to anyone who may need it: “This is essential work that will help keep our tram network safe, reliable and fit for the future. We’re sorry for the disruption and we’ll be doing everything we can to make sure people can still get around while it’s taking place.
“We’ve listened carefully to feedback from customers during previous closures and have introduced more direct shuttle buses between key locations and extra buses on local Bee Network routes.
“If you use any of the affected lines, now is the time to check your travel plans.
“We’d encourage everyone to visit the Bee Network website or app before travelling so they can see the options available to them and allow extra time where necessary.”
Services will resume on these lines from start of service on Monday 2 November.
However there will be some minor route changes through the city centre in place from Monday 2 to Wednesday 4 November, so it’s important to check your journey before you travel.
Featured Image – TfGM
News
Victim named and murder investigation launched after young woman is killed in Newton Heath stabbing
Emily Sergeant
The victim of a street stabbing in Newton Heath this week has been named for the first time as a murder investigation continues.
It comes after officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) responded to reports of a disturbance at around 2am yesterday (Thursday 15 October) on Dorking Avenue, in the Newton Heath area of Manchester, and when they arrived on the scene, they found a woman in her 20s with serious injuries that were ‘consistent with a stabbing’.
Despite best efforts of all emergency services involved, the young woman was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
As the murder investigation progresses, the woman has now been publicly named and a photo of her has been released for the first time.
She has been named as 26-year-old Alisha Samuels.
At this time, one man, aged 25, has been arrested on suspicion of murder, and a man and woman, aged 61 and 38, have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, and they all remain in custody – with officers continuing their enquiries to establish the full circumstances of this incident.
Alisha’s family have asked for privacy whilst they deal with the devastating loss of their loved one, GMP has stated.
“We are continuing to urge people who may have information in relation to this incident to please come forward to support our investigation and bring justice for Alisha,” the police force said in a public appeal.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or has mobile phone, CCTV, or doorbell footage, is urged to call GMP on 0161 856 5464, or contact them via the Major Incident Public Portal here.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
Emily Sergeant -
3rd March 2022 
