Cost of repairing electric vehicles in accidents is increasingly comparable to that of traditional fossil fuel cars, with the gap narrowing.
In a significant development, the German Insurance Association (GDV) has reported a narrowing gap in the repair costs for electric vehicles (EVs) and conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) cars. This trend is attributed to increased practical experience and familiarity with EV-specific systems as EVs become more common on German roads.
The GDV study, which compared 53 model series of electric and conventional cars, revealed that previously, the difference in the frequency of damages between electric and conventional cars was 20-25% higher for EVs. However, this gap has now diminished to around 15-20%.
This improvement is largely due to the rapid growth in EV registrations. As of April 1, 2025, over 1.7 million electric passenger cars were registered in Germany, more than five times as many as at the beginning of 2021. This increase in the number of EVs has led to day-to-day exposure and operational familiarity with EV repairs across workshops, towing companies, fire departments, and appraisers.
Anja Kafer-Rohrbach, deputy CEO of the GDV, stated, "The more electric cars there are on the road, the less their damage records differ from comparable cars with internal combustion engines."
Despite EV repairs still being somewhat more expensive, the difference compared to ICE vehicles is reducing steadily. It's essential to note that this reduction is not due to EV repairs becoming cheaper but rather the increase in repair costs for conventional cars outpacing that of EVs.
Interestingly, electric cars have an advantage in terms of the frequency of damages, causing around 10 to 15 percent fewer comprehensive damages than comparable conventional cars. This factor also contributes to the narrowing gap in repair costs.
The trend in accident damages for electric cars is positive for the transport transition, as it indicates that the acceptance of electric cars is not being negatively impacted by significantly higher repair costs, as previously feared.
In conclusion, the narrowing gap in repair costs for electric and conventional cars is a promising sign for the future of electric vehicles in Germany. As more EVs hit the roads and repair shops gain more experience, it's likely that the gap will continue to narrow, making electric cars an increasingly attractive option for consumers.
[1] German Insurance Association (GDV) Press Release, April 2025 [2] GDV Study on Repair Costs of Electric and Conventional Cars, April 2025 [4] Interview with Anja Kafer-Rohrbach, deputy CEO of the GDV, April 2025
As the use of electric vehicles (EVs) continues to increase in Germany, other aspects of the common fisheries policy, health and the environment, lifestyle, technology, and even the automobile industry may face changes. As EVs become more common, workshops, towing companies, fire departments, and appraisers may need to adapt their skills and equipment for EV-specific systems. This could potentially lead to a shift in the automobile industry towards more production of electric-vehicles, promoting environmental protection and reducing carbon emissions. Meanwhile, the reduction in repair costs for electric vehicles compared to conventional cars could make EVs a more affordable and attractive option for consumers, contributing to a healthier environment and a more eco-friendly lifestyle.
