Is Electric Vehicle Auto Body Repair the Same as Conventional Cars?

The EVs’ many functional features and being environment-friendly inspire the public to make the change. The rise of EVs calls for the special need for auto body repair, maintenance, and replacement of specific parts, to name a few. However, not all auto shops cater to electric vehicle repairs.

Discover how different the repair for electric vehicles is from conventional cars.

The CCC Intelligent Solutions conducted its first analysis on the repair costs for gas-powered cars and electric vehicles. According to their side-by-side analysis, repairs for EV minor collisions cost 3% more than gasoline-powered vehicles. Although electric car repair and maintenance are less complicated, it is on the higher-end of the cost scale.

According to data analysis of various OEM collision repair shops, repairs for EV minor collisions cost 3% more than gasoline-powered vehicles. Although electric car repair and maintenance are less complicated, it is on the higher-end of the cost scale.

Other findings include the following:

• Replacement parts are more difficult to acquire because they are likely only available through the manufacturer.
• Car owners are less happy with EV repairs.
• Electric vehicles are more likely to recover after a collision.
• The repairers submitted the supplemental reports when they discovered more damage after their initial estimate.
• 40.2% of EV repair costs consist of replacement parts, whereas it’s only 37.5% of gas-powered vehicles.
• An average of 22 hours is required to repair EVs, whereas 25.6 hours is required for gasoline cars.

Electric Vehicle Repair: What Are the Basics?

EV repairs cost more, especially when the batteries get affected during a collision. The parts and components of electric vehicles are not as widely available as gas-powered ones. The duration of electric vehicle body repair depends on the extent of the damage to an EVs body, availability of components, and the battery’s health.

Because electric vehicles require a different approach in towing, preparation, and repair methods, electric cars and hybrids call for a new set of technology and skills.

Here are the basics of auto body repair that you should know:

1. Parts

The EVs’ car parts vary greatly from conventional cars. Because they’re quite new, it takes time to get the parts needed for repair. Aside from that, the parts cost a few thousand dollars more compared to that of conventional cars.

2. Towing

Towing electric cars requires a flatbed. Towing them on their own wheels might cause further damage to the EVs’ electrical system. Upon towing, the mechanics do a thorough inspection to see signs of damage in all the EV parts.

3. Painting

The painting process for electric cars is also different compared to gas-powered vehicles. If the paint of an EV gets damaged during the accident, the painting and curing process is not as straightforward compared to conventional cars.

The mechanics consider the temperature threshold of the batteries. This also means you’ll have to wait a little longer for the electric vehicle repair shop to finish doing the repairs.