On average, costs are a third higher

The study by the General Association of Insurers (GDV) comes to clear conclusions: Although electric cars are less likely to be involved in third-party and personal damage that is relevant to insurance, their repairs are up to 35 percent more expensive. The reasons!

Electric cars are on average 30 to 35 percent more expensive to repair than comparable combustion engines – this is highlighted by a GDV study from October 2023. According to the survey, in motor vehicle liability insurance, i.e. in the case of accidents causing damage to other cars, electric cars caused an average of five to ten percent fewer incidents than comparable combustion engines. When it comes to fully comprehensive insurance, i.e. damage to your own car, electric cars actually incur around 20 percent less damage on average.

The GDV also analyzed why electric cars are usually more expensive to repair. According to the press release, the reason is the high cost of damaged batteries. Exchange criteria, diagnostics and repair options need to be improved. Another point is the electric cars that have been stored in quarantine for a very long time or that have been completely destroyed due to precautionary measures in extinguishing containers. Other reasons can be found in the long downtimes and high hourly rates charged by the workshops for work on electric cars. There is still a lack of experience and proven procedures in dealing with severely damaged electric cars. Also interesting: Our product tips on Amazon

Leslie & Cars drives the VW ID.7 (2024) in the video:

Electric cars are up to 35 percent more expensive to repair than combustion engines

As a solution, the GDV suggests protecting batteries from damage caused by accidents as much as possible during the design of the vehicles. Workshops and experts should also be provided with meaningful diagnostic data on the condition of the battery after an accident. There is also a need for economically and ecologically sustainable instructions for repairing and/or partially replacing damaged batteries, as well as precise criteria for dealing with electric cars that have been involved in accidents. In addition, more skilled workers would need to be trained or trained to repair electric cars.