According to the Mitchell report, the average bill for repairing an EV during Q1 2024 stood at $6,066. In comparison, ICE vehicles had an average repair bill of $4,703. This significant cost gap primarily results from differences in labor hours and the parts used in repairs.
The report highlights that it takes more labor hours to repair EVs than ICE vehicles. EVs required an average of 3.04 labor hours per repair session compared to 1.66 for ICE vehicles at a labor rate above $100 per hour. A major reason for this discrepancy is due to the complexity involved in handling high-voltage battery systems which necessitate specific procedures such as de-energizing and removing the batteries before any significant repairs can begin.
Moreover, the reliance on original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts is notably higher in EV repairs compared to ICE vehicle repairs. OEM parts usage was reported at 89.29% for EVs against 65.14% for ICE vehicles which often translates into higher costs for EV owners.
The report also documents that Tesla models dominate the list of most repairable cars among electric vehicles based on insurance claims filed. The Tesla Model 3 led with 32.55% of claims followed by Model Y, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Tesla Model S, and Model X bringing up the rear with a smaller share of total claims.
Source: InsideEVs
