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Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
EVs ‘more likely to break down and leave drivers stranded than petrol or diesel cars,' damning report reveals
Costs for their repairs could be lower though ELECTRIC SHOCK EVs 'more likely to break down and leave drivers stranded than petrol or diesel cars,' damning report reveals ELECTRIC vehicles are reported to be more likely to breakdown on the road than cars with petrol or diesel engines, according to research. A survey of nearly 30,000 drivers looked into their experiences with breakdowns over the past two years. 3 The survey found 16.8 per cent of battery car drivers experienced a break down recently Credit: PA 3 This compares to 10.7 per cent of petrol car owners who reported a break down. Credit: PA The Reliability Survey conducted by What Car? in association with MotorEasy looked at a comparison of petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric cars in terms of whether they were likely to break down, as well as be fixed or towed. Overall, 11% of respondents of the survey had suffered a fault in the last 24 months that made it undriveable. A similar figure of 10.7 per cent of petrol car owners reported a break down in this time, which is a significantly lower rate than batter car owners. Hybrid and diesel cars were also at a lower rate, at 14.1 per cent and 15.4 per cent respectively. Results of the survey come just days after the boss of AA reported attending a higher proportion of electric car breakdowns. In 40.6 per cent of these break downs, the EVs had to be towed from the roadside to a garage. However, only 29.6 per cent per cent of petrol cars required this. CEO of the breakdown service provider, Jakob Pfaudler, added EVs are prone to not only punctures, flat batteries, but also jammed charging cables and technical glitches. He claimed EV breakdowns are more common despite the "idea "common misconception" that they are more reliable than internal combustion engine cars due to having fewer moving parts. On top of that, the report found there was only a one in four chance EV drivers would have their cars permanently fixed by a breakdown company after being stranded on the road. This is in comparison to two in five petrol car owners who were able to get back on the road after calling out roadside assistance. The Sun's Motors Editor Rob Gill takes the new electric Renault 5 for a spin As a result, EVs were the most commonly transported vehicles taken to garages for repairs, as they cannot be towed. They are unable to be towed due rotation of their driven wheels risking of damage to their e-motors. Edmund King, president of AA, also suggested EV drivers are more likely to be confused and flustered by warning lights in their cars, leading them to call for roadside assistance. Whereas petrol car drivers often drive to a garage when being given warning alerts. King estimated, however, that only 86 per cent of traditional cars could be dealt with at the roadside compared to nine in ten battery powered cars which tend to just need a "simple reboot". An additional positive for EV drivers from the survey data suggested their breakdown-related faults could typically be resolved for free, more than any other fuel type. 89% of EV faults could be resolved at zero-cost for the driver, according to the survey, with only three per cent paying more than £1,500 for fixes. Hybrid cars did even better on this front, with 91% being fixed for free, and only two per cent paying over £1,500. However, 76% of petrol car owners reported having their vehicle repaired at no cost following breakdown, and only two-thirds of diesel car drivers.
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
EVs ‘more likely to break down and leave drivers stranded than petrol or diesel cars,' damning report reveals
ELECTRIC vehicles are reported to be more likely to breakdown on the road than cars with petrol or diesel engines, according to research. A survey of nearly 30,000 drivers looked into their experiences with breakdowns over the past two years. 3 The survey found 16.8 per cent of battery car drivers experienced a break down recently Credit: PA 3 This compares to 10.7 per cent of petrol car owners who reported a break down. Credit: PA The Overall, 11% of respondents of the survey had suffered a fault in the last 24 months that made it undriveable. A similar figure of 10.7 per cent of petrol car owners reported a break down in this time, which is a significantly lower rate than batter car owners. Read More Motors News Results of the survey come just days after the boss of AA reported attending a higher proportion of electric car breakdowns. In 40.6 per cent of these break downs, the EVs had to be towed from the roadside to a garage. However, only 29.6 per cent per cent of petrol cars required this. CEO of the breakdown service provider, Jakob Pfaudler, added EVs are prone to not only punctures, flat batteries, but also jammed charging cables and technical glitches. Most read in Motors He claimed EV breakdowns are more common despite the "idea "common misconception" that they are more reliable than internal combustion engine cars due to having fewer moving parts. On top of that, the report found there was only a one in four chance EV drivers would have their cars permanently fixed by a breakdown company after being stranded on the road. This is in comparison to two in five petrol car owners who were able to get back on the road after calling out roadside assistance. The Sun's Motors Editor Rob Gill takes the new electric Renault 5 for a spin As a result, EVs were the most commonly transported vehicles taken to garages for repairs, as they cannot be towed. They are unable to be towed due rotation of their driven wheels risking of damage to their e-motors. Edmund King, president of AA, also suggested EV drivers are more likely to be confused and flustered by warning lights in their cars, leading them to call for roadside assistance. Whereas petrol car drivers often drive to a garage when being given warning alerts. King estimated, however, that only 86 per cent of traditional cars could be dealt with at the roadside compared to nine in ten battery powered cars which tend to just need a "simple reboot". An additional positive for EV drivers from the survey data suggested their breakdown-related faults could typically be resolved for free, more than any other fuel type. 89% of EV faults could be resolved at zero-cost for the driver, according to the survey, with only three per cent paying more than £1,500 for fixes. Hybrid cars did even better on this front, with 91% being fixed for free, and only two per cent paying over £1,500. However, 76% of petrol car owners reported having their vehicle repaired at no cost following breakdown, and only two-thirds of diesel car drivers. 3 WhatCar? research also found Britannia Rescue to be the best breakdown assistance provider in terms of timing and quality Credit: Getty
Scottish Sun
04-06-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
I drove updated Renault Austral… it's a decently priced, edgier version of old model that's a great choice for families
The front and rear ends have been substantially redesigned and successfully banish that uninspiring vibe the previous generation gave off AUSTRAL THE WAY I drove updated Renault Austral… it's a decently priced, edgier version of old model that's a great choice for families IT will never be a darling of the chic Renault set like the trending 4 and 5, but Austral has been given another season to try and reel in the punters, now with more contemporary looks and boosted refinement. Being one of arguably seven SUVs in Renault's line-up doesn't help the sensibly-sized Austral stand out from the crowd. Advertisement 3 Austral isn't as trendy as Renault's 4 or 5 – but it's back with sharper styling and slicker refinement to win over families 3 The front and rear ends have been substantially redesigned and successfully banish that uninspiring vibe the previous generation gave off 3 The mega comfy new seats are a revelation here. Love at first sit But Renault likes to call this 'choice', not overkill. Bosses swear blind their SUVs don't compete with each other but rather complement. Regardless of Gallic spin, we do agree that choice is a good thing. Austral is the last Renault to receive the brand's latest design language, and with that it is ultimately a facelift of the 2022 car rather than an all-new motor. Advertisement The front and rear ends have been substantially redesigned and successfully banish that uninspiring vibe the previous generation gave off. Cleaner, edgier, more posh. As a full-hybrid – that's one without a plug – it's capable of taking you up to 683 miles on one tank of gas thanks to its frugal 1.2-litre turbo engine, pair of electric motors and diddy 2kWh battery, which combine to deliver out a brilliant 58mpg. It also does it with notably more comfort than before. The mega comfy new seats are a revelation here. Love at first sit. Advertisement Sound insulation has been significantly bolstered to deliver decently hushed progress. And the upgraded gearbox and suspension dial out the sub-premium edges of the older model's ride and handling – despite my test car rocking the big new 20in alloy rims option. The Sun's Motors Editor Rob Gill takes the new electric Renault 5 for a spin It also comes loaded with the full Google suite, including Google Maps navigation and Google Assistant voice control, with handy over-the-air software updates through the 12in portrait touchscreen so things can only get better yet. While there is only one automatic powertrain available there will be three trim levels from launch that starts with the £35k Techno. Advertisement The line-up tops out with the £39k Iconic Esprit Alpine. Austral Season 2 is out August and well worth putting on your watchlist That's pretty decent pricing for a decently efficient, decent looking, decently tech'd-up SUV that will take 527 litres of family junk in the trunk. Austral Season 2 is out August and well worth putting on your watchlist.
The Irish Sun
04-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
I drove updated Renault Austral… it's a decently priced, edgier version of old model that's a great choice for families
IT will never be a darling of the chic Renault set like the trending 4 and 5, but Austral has been given another season to try and reel in the punters, now with more contemporary looks and boosted refinement. Being one of arguably seven SUVs in Renault's line-up doesn't help the sensibly-sized Austral stand out from the crowd. Advertisement 3 Austral isn't as trendy as Renault's 4 or 5 – but it's back with sharper styling and slicker refinement to win over families 3 The front and rear ends have been substantially redesigned and successfully banish that uninspiring vibe the previous generation gave off 3 The mega comfy new seats are a revelation here. Love at first sit But Renault likes to call this 'choice', not overkill. Bosses swear blind their SUVs don't compete with each other but rather complement. Regardless of Gallic spin, we do agree that choice is a good thing. Austral is the last Renault to receive the brand's latest design language, and with that it is ultimately a facelift of the 2022 car rather than an all-new motor. Advertisement READ MORE ROAD TESTS The front and rear ends have been substantially redesigned and successfully banish that uninspiring vibe the previous generation gave off. Cleaner, edgier, more posh. As a full-hybrid – that's one without a plug – it's capable of taking you up to 683 miles on one tank of gas thanks to its frugal 1.2-litre turbo engine, pair of electric motors and diddy 2kWh battery, which combine to deliver out a brilliant 58mpg. It also does it with notably more comfort than before. The mega comfy new seats are a revelation here. Love at first sit. Advertisement Most read in Motors Exclusive Sound insulation has been significantly bolstered to deliver decently hushed progress. And the upgraded gearbox and suspension dial out the sub-premium edges of the older model's ride and handling – despite my test car rocking the big new 20in alloy rims option. The Sun's Motors Editor Rob Gill takes the new electric Renault 5 for a spin It also comes loaded with the full Google suite, including Google Maps navigation and Google Assistant voice control, with handy over-the-air software updates through the 12in portrait touchscreen so things can only get better yet. While there is only one automatic powertrain available there will be three trim levels from launch that starts with the £35k Techno. Advertisement The line-up tops out with the £39k Iconic Esprit Alpine. Austral Season 2 is out August and well worth putting on your watchlist That's pretty decent pricing for a decently efficient, decent looking, decently tech'd-up SUV that will take 527 litres of family junk in the trunk. Austral Season 2 is out August and well worth putting on your watchlist. KEY FACTS: RENAULT AUSTRAL E-TECH Price: £35,000 Engine: 1.2-litre turbo petrol hybrid Power: 200hp 0-62mph: 8.4 secs Top speed: 111mph Economy: 58mpg Co2: 109g/km
The Sun
04-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Inside Kia's refreshed Sportage including comfy cabin, punchy new looks and driving mode young families will love
PEOPLE say never work with children or animals. Because they're totally unpredictable. Treats will only get you so far. 5 5 But I'm not one to listen. So when Kia said Britain's favourite SUV is better for the family than ever before, I had to put it to the test. Meet Maisie and her new bestie, Bijoux the cockapoo. Two little fluff balls, perfect for having a proper rummage around the refreshed Sportage. Here are five things you need to know. 1. It's got a 'baby and toddler mode' which smooths out acceleration and driver inputs. Makes everything less jolty. So little toddlers like Maisie stay sound asleep. Happy babies = happy parents. You know that. 2. The boot. Comfortably beats a Nissan Qashqai at 587 litres v 504. Swallows pushchairs, luggage and all the usual family debris — even a dog crate to keep Bijoux safe. Which also means no muddy paws on the seats. Bonus. Some dogs will appreciate the baby mode, too. The Sun's Motors Editor, Rob Gill test drives the Kia EV3 3. New front end. OUT go the 'boomerang' lights from today's Sportage. IN comes the 'star map' LEDs inspired by Kia's growing EV line-up. Looks punchy. More aggressive. Will help Sportage stand out from the crowd. The rear lights have also been updated, as well as some other little details to keep things fresh. 4. Cabin. Absolutely nailed it. Lots of big-car tech in here but still knobs and buttons for the things that need knobs and buttons. Comfy. Roomy. Lots of handy storage, big cup holders, even USB-C charging ports in the side of the front seats for people sat in the back. Three well-equipped trim levels, not four as before. Posher versions get Apple CarPlay satnav arrows integrated into the Head-up Display. 5. Engines. Three choices — 1.6-litre petrol mild hybrid, full hybrid or plug-in hybrid. The last two have a bit more oomph than before and the option of four-wheel drive. Here's some good news for caravanners and people with weekend toys. Maximum towing capacity has increased to 1,510kg. No diesel. No pure electric. If you want to go electric next, there's a Sportage-sized EV5 coming soon. 6. Sorry, I can't count. Price. No official numbers from Kia yet but I'm guessing £31k for the petrol manual when it hits showrooms in September? That would be a lot of car at a sensible price. Maisie's parents own a Kia Niro by the way. You can guess what car they want next. 5 5
