Electric vehicles are more likely to have defects than traditional gas cars, according to an Axios analysis of industry data.

Why it matters: With EVs promising to replace internal combustion engine (ICE) cars, their performance on traditional quality measures will be key to their adoption in the long run.

State of play: EVs collectively made up about 0.9% of automotive recall incidents and 1% of total vehicles recalled from 2017 through the first half of 2022, according to data compiled by recalls manager Sedgwick at the request of Axios.

Related: Third-party studies of consumers' experiences have also concluded that EVs have more problems than gas-engine vehicles.

Between the lines: EVs have been more likely to trigger recalls due in large part to the fact that they’re so much different than traditional cars and they have so many new features, Sedgwick executive Wayne Mitchell tells Axios.

Keep in mind: In some cases, EVs have been subject to recalls that also affected other gas-engine models with the same parts that weren’t specific to EVs.

💭 Our thought bubble: For now, EVs are benefiting from the fact that their owners are largely early adopters who are willing to overlook their vehicle's shortcomings — in part because they’re getting so many new features.

Worth noting: This analysis does not cover traditional hybrids, like the Toyota Prius, but focuses instead on battery-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. Some of the largest EV recalls have included:

Yes, but: Gas-engine vehicles have had their fair share of recalls — including deadly disasters such as the GM ignition-switch scandal and Takata’s exploding airbags.

The bottom line: EVs are just getting off the ground, and that involves some growing pains in terms of quality.