Repairing accident damage to electric vehicles remains more expensive than that of internal combustion engine vehicles, according to a new report from technology provider Mitchell International for the auto insurance and collision repair industry.

The report, based on data from the second quarter of 2024, shows that insurance companies are declaring electric vehicles and gasoline vehicles built in 2021 and later as total losses at similar rates. Electric vehicles were declared unrepairable in 9.16% of cases examined in the U.S., compared to 9.45% for newer gasoline vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV and EQA crash test

However, when electric vehicles are not totaled, their repair costs are nearly 20% higher than comparable gasoline vehicles, according to the report. Electric vehicle repair costs averaged $5,753 in the U.S. during the second quarter, compared to $4,806 for internal combustion engine vehicles. Average repair costs for hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles were $4,726 and $5,059, respectively, which Mitchell attributes to the use of larger batteries in plug-in hybrid vehicles.

The claim rate for electric vehicles also rose 45% in the second quarter, the report found, but this was to be expected as more vehicles are added to the fleet and are bound to cause accidents. The newness of many electric vehicles is also reflected in a higher use of OEM parts for repairs: 89% of parts costs spent compared to 65% for combustion engine vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV and EQA crash test

According to the report, electric vehicles at least require less frame repair work, likely due to higher curb weights and battery packs that can serve as structural reinforcements. However, mechanics spent more time assessing repairs on electric vehicles than on internal combustion engine vehicles in the second quarter, at 8.18% and 5.21%, respectively.

The new report includes similar findings to a report published by Mitchell in 2023, which found that the average repair cost for electric vehicles in the U.S. was $963 higher than comparable gasoline cars. Hertz also cited high collision repair costs as a key reason for slowing its electric vehicle plans, and they continue to be a factor in why electric vehicles are currently more expensive to insure than hybrids.