Whether it’s the perceived risk of fire or fear of range – e-cars have to contend with a number of prejudices when it comes to safety and driving comfort. The TÜV report clears that up, but also confirms which problems actually occur more frequently. The winner among the electric cars is quite a surprise.
TÜV reveals: Nissan Leaf is the best electric car in the HU
The TÜV Report 2023 is here and comes with a surprise: The Nissan Leaf (ZE1) is a separate evaluation of the four most popular electric cars on the first place landed. Among the electric cars, the Nissan is already one of the older models and is therefore rarely seen on the road compared to some Teslas. But he was until 2019 most successful electric car worldwide.
Since the currently popular models arrive at the TÜV with a delay of at least two years, the compact car appears here as a Leader with a defect rate of 4.3 percent on. The Japanese cuts off better than the general average of the two to three year old car with 5.3 percent failure rate in the main inspection (HU).
come more often according to TÜV the Nissan Leaf has problems with the low beam and the brake discs – the latter a general problem with electric cars: “Defects in the brakes occur with above-average frequency in all e-cars examined”, says Joachim Bühler, Managing Director of the TÜV Association. The reason is the recuperation, with which electric cars can charge the battery while driving.
Next to the Leaf are the BMW i3 started, the zoe from Renault and Teslas style 3. However, only Renault’s small electric car was able to place itself successfully. At 5.3 percent, it is right on average. 5.9 percent of the presented BMW i3 had to improve critical defects in order to pass the HU.
Smack for Tesla: Model 3 is not convincing
However, the worst result was achieved by Tesla’s Model 3. For the second time in a row, the e-car manufacturer from the USA had to admit defeat at TÜV. 8.9 percent of the tested Model 3 failed the HU on the first attempt.
What you probably didn’t know about Tesla, but shouldn’t miss:
The Tesla does not only perform poorly among electric cars: according to TÜV, only four other models deliver a worse result. Problems with the low beam and fog lights, the brakes and the axle suspension were also noticed in the Tesla. “Many electric vehicles are heavier than comparable models with combustion engines because of the battery. That often represents a special load for the axle suspensions there,” said Buehler.
Apart from the Model 3, the e-cars tested are also phased-out models: the BMW i3, Zoe and Leaf have already been discontinued or will be discontinued in the near future.