The average repair costs for electric vehicles (EVs) are generally higher than those for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, with several studies indicating a range of about 20% to 30% more expensive repair costs for EVs.
Average Repair Cost Comparison
- According to a 2023 U.S. report, the average repairable severity cost for EVs was $6,018 compared to $4,696 for ICE vehicles, meaning EV repair costs are roughly 28% higher on average.
- Kelley Blue Book found similar results, with average post-accident repair costs of $6,066 for EVs compared to $4,703 for gas-powered cars, representing about a 30% increase in repair costs for EVs.
- Another study noted EV repair costs to be about $950 higher than gasoline car repairs on average. This cost difference was notably influenced by Tesla vehicles, which are more expensive to repair; non-Tesla EVs showed a smaller increase of about $269 over ICE vehicles.
Reasons for Higher EV Repair Costs
- Labor Intensiveness: EV repairs require significantly more labor time, nearly twice as many mechanical labor hours compared to ICE vehicles (3.04 hours versus 1.66 hours). Much of this is due to the need to safely handle, de-energize, or even remove the high-voltage battery during repairs.
- Parts Cost and Availability: EV repairs rely heavily on original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts because the aftermarket part supply for EVs is limited compared to ICE vehicles. Approximately 90% of parts used in EV repairs are OEM versus about two-thirds for gasoline cars.
- Technology and Complexity: EVs generally incorporate more advanced technology that can be more expensive to repair or replace, including sensors and battery management systems.
- Vehicle Type and Market Factors: Most EVs on the road are newer luxury vehicles, which tend to have higher repair costs regardless of drivetrain. About 77% of EV registrations recently were luxury models.
Other Considerations
- Over time, as EVs become more common and repair shops gain expertise and supply chains improve, repair costs may decrease.
- Battery pack replacement costs are high (ranging typically from $5,000 to $20,000), but such replacements are rare, so they do not represent routine repair costs.
- The heavier weight of EVs may cause more damage in collisions, contributing to higher repair costs.
Summary
| Vehicle Type | Average Repair Cost (Approx.) | % Higher Cost vs ICE |
|---|---|---|
| EV (overall avg) | $6,000 – $6,066 | 28-30% |
| ICE | $4,696 – $4,703 | Baseline |
| Non-Tesla EV | About $269 higher than ICE | ~5-6% |
| Tesla EV | Major contributor to higher costs | Higher than average |
In conclusion, EVs tend to have higher average repair costs by roughly 28-30% compared to ICE vehicles, driven by more labor-intensive repairs, expensive OEM parts, advanced technology, and the predominance of luxury EV models. However, these higher costs are not uniform across all EVs and may decline as the market matures.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/what-are-the-average-repair-costs-for-evs-versus-ice-vehicles/
