GRA said:
cwerdna, I wasn't able to read the full Niro BEV issues in CR, and the full report is behind a paywall. But the print version only mentioned a motor reliability problem, which would seem to be a much simpler fix, and covered for 10 years. Was there more to the Niro's low rating than the motor?
I presume they're buying the motor from someone else, and if that one doesn't serve they can switch suppliers easily enough and swap the new one in. There shouldn't be any shortage or safety issues there.
The paywalled story at https://www.consumerreports.org/hybrids-evs/reliability-problems-plague-newer-electric-cars-a2176942694/ said "Kia Niro EV owners reported problems such as having to replace a bearing in the electric motor."
I do subscribe to CR online access and now they only have reliability ratings for '19 and '20 is n/a. '19 gets the worst possible icon (it's out of 5) with the red 2 down chevrons. The trouble spots I see include engine major, engine minor, engine cooling, electric system, brakes, and body integrity. Engine major and body integrity both get the lowest mark (red 2 down chevrons) while the others I cited get an orange 1 down chevron. That overall is not good for a '19.
Kona EV DC FCing is faster than Bolt.