A new report has revealed that the rapid uptake of electric vehicles is leaving the collision repair sector behind.
The study warned that key gaps in training, diagnostics, legislation and repair processes are impacting the sector’s ability to safely and cost-effectively manage EVs after a collision.
Published by accident management company AX, EV Battery Longevity and Post-Accident Outcomes found that these issues are causing unnecessary write-offs and inflated insurance premiums.
Real-world data shows that EV battery capacity decreases by less than two per cent a year, meaning they could remain viable for longer than the vehicle itself.
However, the report suggests that even minor damage to the battery pack is leading to precautionary write-offs due to a lack of training, inconsistent safety protocols and no standardised post-crash diagnostic framework.
AX is now calling for coordinated industry action, recommending the development of national, standardised post-crash diagnostic and quarantine procedures to provide clarity for insurers, repairers and recovery operators.
Action
Scott Hamilton-Cooper, chief commercial operator at AX, said: “As a big advocate for EVs, we have helped our fleet and insurer partners to transition to electric vehicles. We make the process much smoother for businesses and their drivers when their car is off the road.
“So together with our network of expert, EV-ready repairers, we are fully prepared, but that is not the case for everyone.
“We recommend that manufacturers work closely with the sector to define clearer repair thresholds, particularly in cases where damage is cosmetic rather than structural. Scaling up high-voltage training is another priority, ensuring both technicians and emergency responders are equipped to deal with EV-specific hazards.”
