The cost of EV repairs is decreasing, yet they remain pricier than repairs for internal combustion engine vehicles | Carscoops

      In Germany, the average claim for an electric vehicle (EV) is 15-20% higher than that of an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle.

      Electric vehicles are becoming less expensive to repair following accidents. This decrease is due to the growing experience of repair shops with EVs. Nonetheless, repairs for EVs are still 15-20% more costly than those for ICE vehicles.

      New vehicles, especially EVs, present a learning curve not only for owners but also for service providers. Typically, costs associated with anything new tend to be high initially, and this is particularly true for electric vehicle repairs, although prices are starting to decline.

      According to the German Insurance Association (GDV), the comprehensive insurance claims for electric vehicles were 20-25% higher than those for similar combustion vehicles last year. However, this average claim has now decreased to 15-20% more than for ICE models.

      The Deputy General Director of the GDV, Anja Käfer-Rohrbach, stated, “As the number of electric cars on the road increases, the disparity in claims between them and comparable combustion engine vehicles decreases.” She further explained that a wider range of models attracts more customers, and workshops, towing services, fire departments, and appraisers have gained more experience dealing with damaged electric vehicles.

      She noted that these changes are contributing to lowered repair costs as EVs are becoming more commonplace. It’s worth mentioning that the recent study period spanned from 2021 to 2023, indicating that EVs are much more prevalent now.

      In that context, the GDV reported that there were about 1.65 million electric vehicles registered in Germany at the start of the year. This marks a fivefold increase since 2021, with EVs now representing 3.3% of all registered vehicles in the country.