Summary
- Electric car owner outraged by $3,000 cost to replace front bumper
- Repairs for electric vehicles are more expensive than petrol cars
- Difficulty in sourcing spare parts for electric vehicles could lead to high repair costs
- Australians buying more electric vehicles, but repair costs are high
- EVs are 20% more costly to repair after an accident compared to petrol or diesel vehicles
Article
An electric car owner was shocked by the high cost of repairs for his MG EV, with a front bumper replacement quoted at $3,000. Mechanics reveal that repairing electric vehicles is substantially more expensive than traditional petrol cars. Spare parts for EVs can be difficult to find, leading to high costs for owners. With the potential influx of cheap EVs from China, the situation may worsen, as replacement and repair costs are expected to rise. The lack of availability for spare parts presents challenges for EV technicians, who are also required to run diagnostics on the sophisticated technology within these vehicles.
Gerry Marson, owner of Sydney Hybrid and Electric Cars, expressed concern about the rising costs associated with EV repairs. He emphasized the challenges faced by mechanics in sourcing specialist parts for electric vehicles. Marson predicts that owners of older, cheaper EVs may face significant repair bills, leading to a high number of these vehicles being scrapped. With the increasing complexity of both electric and petrol-powered vehicles, repair costs have been on the rise. The additional costs associated with repairing EVs, as well as the potential rise of cheap EVs from China, could pose significant challenges for the automotive industry in Australia.
Despite the potential for savings in operational costs due to lower fuelling costs from charging stations, EV owners may face challenges with structural repairs. Older EVs have been shown to require significant technological replacements, driving up repair costs for owners. A report by Mitchell found that EVs were nearly 20% more expensive to repair following an accident compared to traditional petrol or diesel vehicles in the United States. The Electric Vehicle Council of Australia reports that EV servicing costs are currently $300 to $400 cheaper per year than for combustion vehicles, but structural repairs can lead to financial strain for owners.
The Electric Vehicle Council of Australia highlights the potential cost savings for average Australian drivers who travel 12,000km per year. While petrol costs can add up to around $2,500 annually, EV owners may only spend around $500 to charge their vehicles for the same distance. Despite the rising popularity of electric vehicles in Australia, with an 8% share of total new car sales, the growth rate has slowed in recent years. Concerns over repair costs, availability of spare parts, and the potential impact of cheap EVs from China may pose challenges to the market and to EV owners in the future.
Overall, the high cost of repairs for electric vehicles, paired with challenges in sourcing spare parts and rising technology costs, present significant challenges for both EV owners and mechanics. The potential influx of cheap EVs from China could exacerbate these issues in the Australian market. While EVs offer savings in operational costs, structural repairs can be particularly costly for owners. As the automotive industry continues to evolve with advancements in technology, mechanics and owners alike may need to navigate increasing repair costs and challenges in sourcing parts for electric vehicles.
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