The availability of aftermarket parts significantly impacts electric vehicle (EV) repair costs, primarily by making repairs more expensive when such parts are scarce or unavailable.
Impact of Aftermarket Parts Availability on EV Repair Costs
- Higher reliance on OEM parts: EV repairs typically require a much higher proportion of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts—nearly 90% of parts used in EV repairs are OEM, compared to about two-thirds for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. This reliance is due to the relatively new technology in EVs and the lack of a robust aftermarket parts market for these vehicles.
- Limited aftermarket and recycled parts: Unlike ICE vehicles, where a wide supply of aftermarket and remanufactured parts helps reduce costs, EVs face limited options. This scarcity means repair shops must often use more expensive OEM parts, increasing the overall repair cost.
- Longer repair cycle times: Since many EV parts come directly from manufacturers—especially for key components such as the battery—repair wait times tend to be longer. For example, Tesla parts are primarily supplied by Tesla itself, resulting in longer cycle times and sometimes complete vehicle totals when battery damage occurs.
- Increased labor costs: The unfamiliarity of repair facilities with EV-specific components and the complexity of safely handling high-voltage battery packs require more labor hours. De-energizing or removing the battery to protect it during repair adds to labor time and cost.
Summary of Effects on Cost
- EV repairs cost on average 25-30% more than repairs on gasoline vehicles, with post-accident EV repair bills averaging over $6,000 compared to about $4,700 for ICE vehicles.
- The lack of aftermarket parts is a major factor, alongside more advanced and expensive technology in EVs, increased labor requirements, and the luxury status of many EV models.
In essence, the limited availability of aftermarket parts for electric vehicles leads to a higher dependence on OEM components, extended repair times, and increased labor, all of which contribute to the significantly higher repair costs for EVs compared to traditional gasoline vehicles.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-does-the-availability-of-aftermarket-parts-impact-ev-repair-costs/
