Skip advert
Advertisement

EVs are less likely to be written off than petrols or diesels

New data shows ICE cars have been written off at twice the rate of electric cars since 2015

We all know the challenges electric cars have faced around insurance, whether that be higher than expected premiums, unexpected write-offs due to concerns around lightly damaged batteries or the failure of new Chinese brands to understand UK repair requirements, making certain models virtually uninsurable…

Yet in spite of all that negativity, data from CAP HPI shared with Auto Express reveals the potentially surprising fact that, since 2015, petrol and diesel cars have been written off at roughly twice the rate of their electric counterparts.

Advertisement - Article continues below

According to CAP, its study of cars under five years old in any given year from 2015 to August 2024 found that 0.9 percent of EVs were condemned as write-offs, compared to 1.89 percent of their petrol and diesel stablemates.

There’s a similar gap when you look at cars aged one year old, where 0.2 percent of EVs and 0.4 percent of petrol and diesel models were written off across the period.

However, before any keyboard warriors are tempted to use this stat as ammo in the ongoing EV culture wars on social media, it’s too early to draw meaningful conclusions, as CAP HPI spokesman Jon Clay explained. 

“The study challenges one of the many misconceptions about electric vehicles. The data clearly shows that EVs are written off at half the rate of petrol and diesel vehicles,” he said, but added there could be any number of different factors at play. 

These include the fact that the driving personas of EV owners over the last decade might be quite different to those of ICE car owners. It’s also true that EVs have often featured more safety technology than their ICE counterparts, and the stats also take no account of the arguably more significant ratio of claims that might typically end up as write-offs.

“There are quite a few variables in there, which we need to investigate to actually understand,” added Clay.

Worried about the cost of your car insurance? Take a look at the cheapest cars to insure...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Current affairs and features editor

Chris covers all aspects of motoring life for Auto Express. Over a long career he has contributed news and car reviews to brands such as Autocar, WhatCar?, PistonHeads, Goodwood and The Motor Trader.

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Insurance firms accused of secretly “taxing the poor” amidst heat from car finance scandal
Car insurance documents and car key

Insurance firms accused of secretly “taxing the poor” amidst heat from car finance scandal

Both car insurance and finance firms are under fire for covert practices that see consumers unknowingly paying more
News
2 Apr 2025
UK car insurance groups explained: what do they mean for you and your car?
Car insurance explainer

UK car insurance groups explained: what do they mean for you and your car?

The Association of British Insurers decides your car’s insurance group, from one to 50. Here’s what it means for you…
Tips & advice
21 Mar 2025
Car insurance prices see dramatic fall, but younger drivers see the biggest savings
Car insurance form, car key and a model car

Car insurance prices see dramatic fall, but younger drivers see the biggest savings

After a surge in car insurance prices, premiums are now beginning to come back down – more for some than others
News
9 Feb 2025
Cheapest cars to insure in the UK 2025
Cheapest cars to insure - header image

Cheapest cars to insure in the UK 2025

These are the cars with the lowest insurance group ratings in the UK today
Best cars & vans
22 Jan 2025

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: BYD Seal – signed, sealed and delivered for less than £305 a month
BYD Seal - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: BYD Seal – signed, sealed and delivered for less than £305 a month

The BYD Seal is a Tesla Model 3 rival, and a very good one at that. It’s our Deal of the Day for 31 March
News
31 Mar 2025
Best April Fools' Day jokes by car companies 2025
Best April Fools' day jokes 2025

Best April Fools' Day jokes by car companies 2025

We round up this year’s best car-related April Fools’ jokes, along with a few of the more famous japes from years gone by
Features
1 Apr 2025
Skoda Enyaq review
Skoda Enyaq 85 - front

Skoda Enyaq review

If you're looking for an all-electric family SUV that will fit effortlessly into daily life, the Skoda Enyaq is an excellent choice
In-depth reviews
31 Mar 2025