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The £15,000 dashboard light electric car owners must 'never ignore'

EXCLUSIVE; The light suggests the problem is severe and potentially dangerous.

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By Luke Chillingsworth, Cars Reporter

Elderly woman gets a nasty fright in the traffic as she drives a car

Motorists are at risk of losing up to £15,000 in repair bills (Image: Getty)

Motorists may need to cough up £15,000 to replace a vital car component if they ignore one crucial warning light not found on petrol and diesel cars. Experts have warned that a red ‘serious electrical fault’ warning light on an electric vehicle cannot be brushed over, with motorists at risk of costly replacements.

The serious electrical fault light is usually indicated by a red battery, with an exclamation mark or an electric bolt through the middle. The tool indicates that the vehicle is suffering from critical electrical system problems, and drivers should pull over immediately.

Electric car charging at the electric station on the street

Electric car drivers have to cope with a series of new warning lights (Image: Getty)

Forgetting to get the vehicle checked out can backfire, as motorists may cause more damage by leaving damaged parts unrepaired.

Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, Charlie Harvey, motoring expert at Cazoo, said: “This is the one dashboard light you absolutely cannot ignore in an EV. It indicates critical electrical system problems and means you must pull over safely before contacting roadside assistance.”

Red warning lights suggest that the problem is severe and potentially dangerous, with road users told to stop the car and arrange assistance immediately. Any further damage to the battery can lead to major repair bills, with the part usually the most costly component in new EVs.

EV Powered has previously warned that batteries damaged beyond repair can cost road users between £4,000 and over £15,000, depending on the make and model of the vehicle.

Serviceman repairs electric battery pack of hybrid car.

Batteries can be expensive and may need to be replaced (Image: Getty)

Charlie stressed that electric car warning lights can be easy to miss or confusing to remedy, but stressed that once drivers are familiar with what their EV is communicating, the lights will become less daunting.

He urged drivers to book regular car services to keep their models up to scratch.

He said: “Never ignore a warning light. Even if it’s just a yellow or amber warning, issues can build up and cause further, more expensive damage. It’s key to get them checked out by a professional as soon as possible.

“Like any car, you should have your EV inspected whenever it’s due for a service – as well as scheduled maintenance, the garage in question will assess other crucial areas of the car for you to make sure all is well. This helps catch problems early, and stops them spiralling out of control and getting expensive.”

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