Summary
-Insurance claims show EVs involved in different types of collisions as compared to internal-combustion cars
-EVs more likely to sustain rear-end damage and less likely to have front-end damage than combustion vehicles
-EVs may be involved in more rear-end collisions due to newer front-collision avoidance tech and different braking dynamics
-EV repair costs are higher than combustion vehicles, with EV repairs requiring 90% OEM parts
-EVs and combustion vehicles are full-loss totaled at the same rate, with EVs valued at $32,718 on average
Article
Insurance claims data from Mitchell International has revealed that electric vehicles (EVs) are more likely to be involved in different types of collisions compared to internal-combustion vehicles. EVs are more prone to rear-end damage, accounting for 35.9% of collisions involving EVs compared to 27.5% for internal-combustion vehicles. On the other hand, internal-combustion cars have a higher frequency of front-end collisions, at 31.5% compared to 25.8% for EVs. This difference in collision patterns could be attributed to the newer technology and different braking dynamics of EVs, which may catch other drivers off guard.
The data also shows that while collisions involving front-end impacts are costlier to repair, overall repair costs for EVs remain higher than those for other types of vehicles. In the third quarter of the year, insurance claims for repairable EVs averaged $5,560, while those for plug-in hybrids were $5,229, mild hybrids were $4,426, and non-hybrid combustion vehicles were $4,741. This trend of higher repair costs for EVs compared to other vehicles was also observed in the second quarter, with EV collision-repair costs being 20% higher. This discrepancy in repair costs could be attributed to the higher percentage of original-equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts required for EV repairs, compared to internal-combustion vehicles.
Despite the higher repair costs, EVs and internal-combustion vehicles are declared total losses at about the same rate, accounting for 9.9% of all claims. The average market value of EVs declared as total losses is close to that of newer combustion vehicles, indicating that both types of vehicles have similar complexities and repair costs. This suggests that the differences in repair costs between EVs and internal-combustion vehicles may be driven by factors other than the total loss rate.
The data also suggests that the driving dynamics of EVs, such as one-pedal driving, may play a role in the frequency of collisions involving these vehicles. One-pedal driving could potentially lead to rapid deceleration, causing unexpected collisions with following vehicles. A recent report also found that EV drivers are more likely to be at fault in crashes, indicating that driver behavior may change when transitioning from an internal-combustion vehicle to an EV. These findings highlight the importance of understanding the unique characteristics of EVs and their impact on collision patterns and repair costs.
Overall, the data from Mitchell International provides valuable insights into the differences in collision patterns and repair costs between EVs and internal-combustion vehicles. The higher repair costs for EVs, driven by the need for more OEM parts and potentially different driving dynamics, highlight the challenges faced by insurers and repair shops in addressing the unique characteristics of EVs. By understanding these differences and their implications, stakeholders in the auto insurance and collision repair industries can better adapt to the growing presence of EVs on the road and enhance their services to meet the evolving needs of EV drivers and vehicle owners.
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