All-electric cars “more reliable” than petrol and diesel, says Volkswagen

Volkswagen sales boss Martin Sander has declared that all-electric cars are “much more reliable” than equivalent internal combustion-powered vehicles, when asked why people should consider an EV over a petrol or diesel.

Sparking debate in the industry, Sander told Automotive News: “First, you have to talk about the facts. For instance, electric vehicles are much more reliable than ICE vehicles. But the only way to change opinions is by getting customers into the vehicles.”

In a broad discussion with the respected newswire, VW’s sales boss said that in Europe orders for its ID.7 sedan and wagon had already overtaken Passat sales and that in 2025 it’s predicted that battery-electric vehicles will account for as much as 25 per cent of all Volkswagen sales in the European region.

The reliability claims conflict latest US research carried out by a Consumer Reports (CR) investigation that found that owners of EVs were more likely to have 42 per cent more issues with their cars than a petrol or diesel driver in 2024.

That figure is actually a huge improvement over CR’s 2023 investigations when responses from 300,000 owners suggested if you drove an EV you’d be 79 per cent more likely to suffer a problem, compared to a combustion vehicle.

Embarrassingly for Sanders, out of all the EVs investigated by CR, feedback put the Volkswagen ID.4 and Ford F-150 Lightning on the outlet’s list of least reliable electric cars, with the most dependable electric car said to be the BMW i4.

As well as powertrain faults, owners were also likely to report problems with in-car electronics and accessories.

Perhaps more alarmingly, considering the current shift from EVs to plug-in hybrids, is that PHEVs were found to have 70 per cent more faults, on average, compared to a petrol car, although the plug-in versions of the US-spec RAV4 , Corolla and Prius were judged to be among the most reliable cars money can buy, regardless of their electrified combustion engines.

Volkswagen’s electric car expansion continues in 2025 with the arrival of its ID.2 that VW’s sales chief has already dubbed a “game changer” in the sub-€25,000 ($A41,500) European EV segment.

Later this month the Volkswagen ID.4 and ID.5 mid-size electric SUVs finally arrive in Australia. They both follow on from the ID. Buzz Pro and ID. Buzz Cargo delivery van, which will be joined by hot GTX version from the middle of this year.

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