During winter, the most common EV-related emergency was towing, accounting for 29.6% of service requests. (Image courtesy of Pixabay/CCL)
SEOUL, Feb. 26 (Korea Bizwire) — Emergency roadside assistance for electric vehicles (EVs) varies significantly by season, with winter dominated by towing requests and summer seeing a surge in tire puncture repairs, according to a recent study.
The Traffic and Climate Research Center at Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance analyzed two years of data from its Hi-Car emergency roadside service, spanning from March 2022 to February 2024. The findings, released on Tuesday, indicate distinct seasonal patterns in EV assistance needs.
December recorded the highest monthly volume of emergency service calls, though the overall seasonal average was highest in the fall. During winter, the most common EV-related emergency was towing, accounting for 29.6% of service requests, followed by tire puncture repairs at 24.7% and battery charging at 24.1%.
This contrasts with internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, where battery jump-starts overwhelmingly led winter roadside assistance calls, making up 58.1% of all cases.
The study attributes the lower demand for EV battery-related assistance to technological advancements—many newer EVs now feature automatic recharging of their 12V auxiliary batteries using the high-voltage main battery, reducing the risk of dead batteries in cold weather.
However, EVs remain vulnerable to range reductions in low temperatures. When an EV’s driving range declines sharply, preventing it from reaching a nearby charging station, Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance offers a specialized towing service to transport vehicles to the nearest available charger.
In contrast, summer presents a different challenge for EV owners: tire punctures. The data reveals that tire repairs were the most frequently requested service in warm months.
The study notes that EVs, which are heavier than their internal combustion counterparts due to high-voltage battery packs, typically weigh between 250 to 500 kilograms more than equivalent gas-powered models. This added weight accelerates tire wear, requiring more frequent replacements.
Given these trends, experts recommend that EV owners pay close attention to tire maintenance, particularly during the summer months, by monitoring tread wear and maintaining proper air pressure.
As EV adoption continues to rise, the findings underscore the importance of seasonally tailored maintenance and emergency preparedness for electric vehicle drivers.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
