A new report has found electric vehicle (EV) collision repairs continue to cost more than similar repairs to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.
The Plugged-In EV Collision Insights report, compiled by vehicle collision technology and insights firm Mitchell, is based on second-quarter 2024 (April to June) data from car crashes throughout North America
According to Mitchell’s findings, EVs are almost 20 per cent more expensive to repair than comparable petrol and diesel vehicles, provided they’re not completely written off.
In the US, the average repair costs for EVs was US$5753 (A$8472), compared to US$4806 (A$7077) for internal combustion vehicles – a difference of $947 (A$1395).
The difference was found to be larger in Canada, where EVs were $1576 (A$1718) more expensive to repair.
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Mitchell’s report outlined similarities in total loss frequency between EVs and internal combustion cars newer than 2021, which were totalled 9.16 per cent and 9.45 per cent of the time, respectively.
Interestingly, EVs were found to require frame repairs less frequently than internal combustion vehicles (5.21 per cent against 8.18 per cent).
Mitchell identifies such work as ‘frame labour’ and defines it as “when technicians must use a hydraulic frame machine to straighten both full ladder frame components as well as unibody structures”.
It suggests the difference could be due to the ability of an EV to be more effective at preventing crash energy from damaging structural components, which it says could bode well for future repairability.
In additional findings, the report outlines a 45 per cent increase in EV repair claims for the second quarter, though that’s been attributed to an increase of EVs on the road that are inevitably crashed.
When repairs are necessary, it found EV models utilise OEM parts for repairs more frequently than internal combustion cars; quoted at 89 per cent against 65 per cent.
The findings of increased EV repair costs follow recent similar stories, such as when a door ding led to a Fisker Ocean being written off, or when a minor collision created a $62,000 repair bill for a Rivian R1T.
MORE: How a simple door ding led to this EV being written off
MORE: Rivan R1T owner cops $62,000 repair bill for minor collision
