Are EVs to Blame for the Increase in Potholes on UK Roads?

In recent discussions around the quality of UK roads, a contentious topic has emerged: Are electric vehicles (EVs) contributing to the proliferation of potholes?

The AA, RAC, and campaign group FairCharge have weighed in, dismissing the notion that the weight of EVs is a primary culprit. Instead, they point to a lack of government investment in road maintenance as the root cause.
According to Simon Williams, Head of Policy at the RAC, attributing road deterioration to EVs is “misguided.” He asserts that a significant decline in local road investment, with a staggering 45% reduction in maintenance by councils over the past five years, is the true culprit. (1)

Government data reveals a shocking 61% of English councils neglected life-extending surface work on roads in the 2022/23 financial year, allowing existing defects to worsen. (1)

Mr Williams emphasises that neglecting road maintenance leads to cracks that, when water seeps in and freezes, result in potholes. He stresses that blaming EVs distracts from the overarching issue of neglected road infrastructure. He urges a shift in perspective, treating roads as vital national assets requiring sustained investment rather than temporary solutions like patching potholes.

But how do EVs fit into this narrative? As of the end of February 2024, there were more than 1 million fully electric cars on UK roads. (2) However, it’s essential to consider the broader context. With 41.3 million licensed vehicles in the UK, including 33.58 million cars, 4.73 million light goods vehicles (LGVs), and 0.54 million heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), the concern about EVs’ impact on roads is understandable. (3)

Van traffic has experienced the fastest growth among vehicle sectors, surging by 90% in the last 25 years. This rise, reaching 57.5 billion vehicle miles in 2022, has elevated vans to 18% of all motor vehicle miles. The number of licensed vans in Great Britain has more than doubled, indicating a significant increase in road usage. (4)

Moreover, the demographic distribution of SUVs challenges assumptions. Contrary to expectations, three-quarters of SUVs sold in the UK are registered to urban households. This data, analysed by the New Weather Institute and climate charity Possible, suggests that urban areas, not rural regions, are driving SUV sales. The rise of SUVs in cities like London underscores the complex dynamics shaping vehicle usage and road wear. (5)

The consequences of neglected road maintenance are evident in compensation claims. In 2023/24, local authorities in England and Wales paid £15.2 million for damage caused by poor road conditions. The total expenditure, including staff costs, amounted to £28.8 million—an increase of 27% from the previous year. With 2 million potholes filled at a cost of £143.5 million, it’s clear that the financial burden of road repair is substantial. (6)

To address these challenges, initiatives like the Pothole Action Fund have been developed to provide funding for local authorities to repair roads. The allocation of an additional £200 million in 2023-24 demonstrates recognition of the pressing need for road maintenance.(7)

Reporting potholes is crucial for prompt repairs. Local authorities often provide electronic or web-based systems for reporting, ensuring community involvement in road maintenance. Websites like FillThatHole.org.uk and FixMyStreet.com offer additional avenues for reporting road defects, empowering citizens to contribute to road safety.

Despite these efforts, challenges persist. Government figures show that around 18% of the local road network in England (excluding London) is in poor condition and the one-time catch-up cost to clear the backlog of maintenance issues would cost £12.1 billion and take 11 years to complete.(8)

While EVs undoubtedly impact road infrastructure, attributing the increase in potholes solely to them is misguided. The broader issues of neglected maintenance, increasing traffic volume—particularly from vans—and changing vehicle demographics must be considered.

Addressing these challenges requires sustained investment, collaborative efforts between government and communities, and innovative solutions to ensure the longevity and safety of UK roads.

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Sources:
(1) https://transportandenergy.com/2024/03/20/motoring-groups-dismiss-claims-that-weight-of-evs-are-to-blame-for-britains-crumbling-roads/
(2) https://www.zap-map.com/ev-stats/ev-market
(3) https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/vehicle-licensing-statistics-july-to-september-2023
(4) https://www.racfoundation.org/motoring-faqs/mobility
(5) https://www.racfoundation.org/media-centre/majority-of-suvs-registered-to-urban-homes
(6) https://www.racfoundation.org/motoring-faqs/mobility#a52
(7) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/highways-maintenance-funding-allocations/additional-budget-2023-highways-maintenance-and-pothole-repair-funding-2023-to-2024
(8) https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9975/