Recent studies show that the repair costs for electric vehicles are significantly higher than for combustion engine vehicles. A study by the German Insurance Association (GDV) concluded that electric vehicles are one third more expensive to repair than comparable combustion engine vehicles. This can quickly put the lower operating costs of electric vehicles into perspective. This is a bitter message for all drivers of electric vehicles, as not only do they have to accept higher insurance contributions, but their vehicle can also turn into a complete write-off faster from a financial perspective.
According to the findings of the vehicle insurers, there are many reasons why the repair costs of electric vehicles are so high.
Why is repairing electric vehicles more expensive?
The main reasons are the more difficult diagnosis, the greater effort required for replacing the drive batteries and the high-performance electronics in the vehicles. The longer downtimes are also a factor. Further reasons include higher hourly rates and often also uncertainties associated with damaged electric cars, such as quarantine storage. All of this also leads to significantly higher costs in the event of an accident. The battery poses a particular risk. Replacing the battery usually involves significant effort and even slightly damaged batteries can increase the risk of fire. After an accident, it is therefore usually advisable to replace the battery completely to rule out this risk. The battery is also the most expensive component in an electric vehicle and replacement can easily cost into the four to five-digit figures.
The car body as a weak point
The body of electric vehicles also often looks different than we are used to with combustion engine vehicles. The rear is often made entirely of cast aluminium. The problem: Even small deformations can lead to cracks. This means that these components also have to be examined in detail after an accident. This is also very time-consuming and costly. Under certain circumstances, the entire rear vehicle may need to be replaced.
What can manufacturers and workshops do to combat high repair costs?
To combat this issue, the German Insurance Industry Association (GDV) is calling on manufacturers to protect the batteries from damage in the event of an accident as early as the vehicle design phase. Clear diagnostic data is also helpful for better assessing the condition of a battery. Economical and ecologically sustainable repair and replacement instructions would also be helpful. Clear guidelines for dealing with accidents could also help. The emergency workers at the accident scene, such as towing companies and fire brigades, also need appropriate knowledge. Workshops could, in turn, attempt to increase instruction and further training for repair work on electric vehicles. The repair process also needs to be speeded up. This means that faster battery testing should be possible, while ruling out the risk of fire and with shorter quarantine times.
Sensors can also make repairs more expensive
Admittedly, this is not just an electric car problem, but also applies to combustion engine vehicles. However, the large number of sensors for assistance systems in modern vehicles also results in higher repair costs. The sensors themselves are often expensive and make repairs more difficult. On the other hand, the repair process often requires calibration or readjustment to ensure optimal function after the repair.