Beyond the Battery: The Real Costs of EV Repairs

Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular as more people seek sustainable and eco-friendly transportation options. However, the burgeoning EV market presents unique challenges, particularly when it comes to repairs. We asked Kenneth Jack, an expert in fleet management, for his insights on the topic.

One of the primary concerns for EV owners is the integrity of the battery due to its high cost. According to Business Insider, “A man in Scotland was recently shocked by $21,000 bill to fix his Tesla after rain damaged the battery.” This anecdote may suggest that EV batteries are delicate and easily damaged, and thus would be the highest repair cost after an accident. However, expert opinion suggests otherwise. “The batteries in EVs tend to be very well protected, so in most typical accidents you are probably not going to damage the battery sufficiently to require a replacement, but you are going to damage a lot of other things,” Jack reassures. “It could be as simple as body work and lighting, it could be motors and drive frames and axles–things that kind of tend to get pushed in from the corners of a vehicle during an accident.” SHzoom agrees, the robust protection around an EV battery is crucial, given that the battery is the heart of an EV and by far one of the most expensive components of an EV to replace.

In addition to the expensive batteries, a major reason why EV repairs are so expensive in comparison to their traditional vehicles is that EV parts can be challenging for body shops to repair and replace. In the event that an accident completely destroys the front of a traditional vehicle, the owner can take their vehicle to a body shop and replace the entire front end of their car. This is not the case for EVs. “A lot of the different manufacturers have certification programs to be qualified to repair and to even purchase the parts needed to repair their vehicle,” Jack explains. “It can be tricky to find somebody to do a full repair on a vehicle. He also points out that if the battery and other critical parts of the car are damaged, the vehicle might be deemed a total loss, or a “write-off,” due to the high cost and complexity of repairs. Jack’s claims are backed up by WIRED, which noted: “Insurers are even, in some cases, writing off entire cars just because of minor physical damage to battery casings. Sources who spoke to WIRED suggest there is a dearth of auto repair shops that know how to properly assess batteries, let alone repair them.”

Additionally, the relative newness of EV technology means that repair costs can be higher compared to traditional vehicles. Not all body shops are equipped or trained to handle EV repairs, leading to a smaller pool of qualified repair services and, consequently, higher prices. One example of a fleet that resigned from using EVs was Hertz, a rental car company that began selling its Teslas. According to Forbes Magazine, “Hertz reported Tesla renters were getting in more crashes, costing more per crash.”

As EVs continue to gain traction, understanding the nuances of their repair and maintenance becomes increasingly important. Kenneth Jack’s insights underscore the importance of robust battery protection, the potential high costs associated with bodywork and other components, and the need for competitive repair bids facilitated by platforms like SHzoom. For EV owners, being informed and proactive about repair options is key to managing the long-term costs and ensuring their vehicles remain in optimal condition.

As EVs continue to gain traction, understanding the nuances of their repair and maintenance becomes increasingly important. Kenneth Jack’s insights underscore the importance of robust battery protection, the potential high costs associated with bodywork and other components, and the need for competitive repair bids facilitated by platforms like SHzoom. For EV owners, being informed and proactive about repair options is key to managing the long-term costs and ensuring their vehicles remain in optimal condition.

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