New analysis has revealed that electric vehicle repair costs between 30% and 50% more than petrol or diesel models.
Warranty Solutions Group analysed electric vehicle warranty claims for 2023/24.
It found the most common issues involve battery charge control modules, costing an average of £1,311 to repair, power distribution boxes (£747), warning lights (£875), and shock absorbers (£588).
John Colinswood, CEO of WSG, said: “There is much industry discussion about the cost of EV repairs compared to internal combustion engine vehicles. Many studies show that electric vehicles have lower servicing and maintenance costs than petrol and diesel cars because they have fewer moving parts that can fail.
“However, not all repair shops are equipped to handle EVs, and specialised knowledge is needed to safely work on high-voltage electrical systems. This drives up labour costs, as repairs often require trained professionals, sometimes through the manufacturer or specialised dealers.”
Repair costs
The next generation of electric vehicles are expected to be cheaper to produce than ICE models, but WSG predicts they will still cost up to 30% more to repair following a serious accident.
Colinswood said:
“Unlike ICE vehicles, which can be serviced by a wide range of independent mechanics, EVs rely more on manufacturer-certified technicians and parts, limiting competition in repair services and keeping prices high. EVs also depend heavily on sophisticated electronics and software, making diagnostics and repairs more complex and expensive than with ICE vehicles.”
