Model S is the worst e-car at TÜV

E-cars are on the rise. This is also shown by the fact that the TÜV can provide precise information on the most popular models for the first time. Vehicles from BMW, Renault, Tesla, and Smart have all been the most scrutinized — but the US maker doesn’t shine at all.

For the first time, the TÜV Report 2022 contains meaningful information about how e-cars perform in the main inspection (HU). The TÜV has chosen what it says are the most popular models that have been on the market long enough to require a new sticker.

TÜV examiners criticize Tesla Model S

In the reporting period from July 2020 to June 2021, four electric cars were eligible: the BMW i3, which will only be produced until July, the Smart Fortwo Electric Drive, the Model S from Tesla and the Renault Zoe. As with combustion engines, there is not one result that applies to the four electric cars. The Stromer neither come through the TÜV without any problems, nor do they fail over the entire route.

Nevertheless, there is a clear “loser” in the TÜV list: That Tesla’s Model S is by far the worst performer among EVs. Every tenth vehicle (10.7 percent) did not make it through the HU at the first attempt due to significant safety deficiencies (source: TÜV association). Fog and low beam often caused problems with the Tesla, and the wishbones were also criticized by TÜV inspectors.

Compared to the 128 combustion engines also listed in the TÜV report, only two cars have worse results than the Model S: Logan and Duster, both from Dacia. That The Smart Fortwo, on the other hand, achieved the best result among e-cars with a defect rate of 3.5 percent. The BMW i3 ends up exactly on the average of the entire TÜV report 2022 with 4.7 percent.

Brakes remain a possible weak point for e-cars

The i3 primarily suffers from a problem that many e-cars have: “Problems with the brake components are typical for electric vehicles, since they are used much less frequently than combustion engines and therefore corrode more frequently,” says Dr. Joachim Bühler, Managing Director of the TÜV Association. “Blame” is the recuperation: Many e-cars brake automatically if you don’t accelerate and use the energy to recharge the battery.

What you should also know before switching to an electric car:

Of the With a failure rate of 5.7 percent, the Renault Zoe ranks third among electric cars in the HU. Whether Tesla will be able to convince more with the Model 3 in the future remains to be seen. The first specimens are now old enough for a visit to the TÜV.