The most common electric car problems, according to a roadside mechanic

As electric cars become more common on Australian roads, roadside technicians are experiencing a higher volume of callouts for electric and hybrid cars.

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Philip Wilson, a roadside patrol technician for the NRMA, has been rescuing stranded Aussie drivers for more than 40 years.

He says callouts for hybrid and electric vehicles have notably increased over the last decade.

While electric cars differ dramatically from their internal combustion engine counterparts, the problems that arise with them are much the same.

"One of the issues we see in EVs is the standard 12-volt battery going flat; just like any petrol or diesel car," Mr Wilson told Drive.

"This can happen from something as simple as leaving a light on overnight, or leaving the press button start on."

Along with the larger lithium-ion battery that drives the cars, most electric cars also have a typical 12-volt battery to power auxiliary functions like headlights, infotainment screens, radio or power windows.

Often, if this 12-volt battery is going flat, EVs are capable of diverting charge from the vehicle's larger high-voltage battery to charge the 12-volt battery.

The problem is modern cars in general typically have more features and electronic systems that can draw on the 12-volt battery, meaning it's more likely to go flat than it is in older cars.

For example, the Sentry Mode security feature in Tesla cars draws on the 12-volt battery, while a flat 12-volt battery can also prove particularly troublesome if your car has features like pop-out door handles – which won't be accessible if the battery is discharged.

Thankfully, the fix for a flat 12-volt battery in an EV is the same as for a petrol or diesel car – you can jump-start it by connecting it to another car's battery via jumper leads, or you may need to have the 12-volt battery replaced (an NRMA spokesperson said this is the most common course of action).

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"We also see a number of accidental lockouts for EVs which are unable to be opened remotely by the manufacturer," Mr Wilson explained.

This is also an issue for petrol and diesel cars and is typically a matter of user error – with drivers misplacing their keys or accidentally locking them in the car.

Thankfully, this should become less of an issue as more cars offer app connectivity, allowing owners to remotely lock and unlock their cars via their smartphones.

Meanwhile, a flat high-voltage battery is not a common reason for electric vehicle callouts, with an NRMA spokesperson revealing most EV owners are aware of how much battery they need for a journey.

To assist with flat EV batteries, the NRMA has invested in two mobile chargers – one in New South Wales and one in the ACT – as well as unique towing devices that cater specifically to EVs.

More generally, battery issues are the leading reason for roadside assistance callouts across all types of vehicles – with the NRMA responding to more than 402,000 battery-related callouts in 2023.

This was followed by more than 135,000 callouts for wheel and tyre damage, and close to 90,000 callouts for electrical issues.

"Some of the issues we’re seeing less of compared to 10 years ago are problems with cooling systems, and mechanical problems such as transmission and ignition issues," Mr Wilson said.