The cost of repairs for electric cars in Germany is significantly higher than for combustion engine vehicles. This is mainly due to manufacturer specifications that often require the expensive replacement of entire components. According to a study by the Allianz Center for Technology (AZT), presented at the 9th Allianz Auto Day, repairs after an accident or other damages are on average more expensive for electric cars than for combustion engine cars. The study examined damages to vehicles with significant electric range between 2018 and 2020, which occurred among customers of the insurance company. According to Allianz experts, while electric cars and combustion engine cars do not fundamentally differ in accident occurrence, the average cost of repairing an electric car after an accident is significantly higher. This is mainly due to manufacturer specifications and standards that workshops must follow.
For example, some models require the replacement of the battery after an airbag deployment or the entire cable harness after a marten bite in a high-voltage cable, instead of repairing the damaged cable. Alternatively, expensive cables could be protected from marten bites by replaceable protective covers, which could reduce repair costs by up to 97 percent. However, according to Allianz, only a few manufacturers use them. The cost of electric car repairs is also significantly higher due to the complex fire prevention measures required during recovery. In Germany, about 15,000 cars burn annually, of which about 150 are electric cars. However, the risk of fire is comparatively low for electric cars.
Carsten Reinkemeyer, Head of Safety Research at AZT, explains that their study found no higher probability of fire in electric vehicles compared to conventional gasoline or diesel vehicles. Despite this, the cost of repairing electric cars remains a concern for consumers.
