An electric car costs more for the purchase, but also when it is time to repair it. In 2024, as in 2023, electrified vehicles were on average more expensive to repair than thermal, according to the Auto Claims Observatory, published by the Association of Safety and Automobile Repairs (MRS), presented by Le Parisien on Monday 17 of February.
Compared to the average of all vehicles, the cost of hybrid cars repairs is 15.7% higher, that of 14.3% higher electric cars.
According to MS, several factors can explain these higher repair costs. First, the damage is often greater due to the greater weight of the vehicles. Materials are also more complex to repair (the association quotes in particular aluminum and compounds). Some parts are also specific for electrification (plug, cable, battery, module …).
The safety and intervention operations of vehicles and intervention in the electrical part also take longer, and finally, the vehicles to be repaired are oriented more often towards manufacturing or authorized networks with rates per hour generally higher than the independents, even according to Ms. .
In 2024, electrified vehicles represented a total of 11.5% of collision claims (7.8% in 2023).
Increase inflation
The association is concerned with the increase in costs for motorists. All combined engines, repairs cost 6.2% more expensive compared to 2023. In four years, prices have even increased 25.7%.
“Variations in all costs remain, in 2024, significantly higher than general inflation,” laments Ms.
The association notably points out “increasingly expensive, technological but less repairable pieces.” Therefore, in 2024, almost 72% of the damaged parties in collision claims were replaced (that is, they were not repaired). It was 68% in 2020.
Source: BFM TV
