The Worst EV Myth Has Just Been Busted
The Worst EV Myth Has Just Been Busted
Still think they're a massive write-off risk?
It’s fair to say that EVs are still unfoundly divisive. I am forever seeing demonstrably false articles and memes belittling the use of them. But, through all the misconceptions, mistruths, or flat-out manipulation, there was one criticism that held water — that EVs were a huge write-off risk. After all, they utilise unique design, innovative technology, and delicate high-voltage electronics, meaning that even the tiniest bump could cause enough damage to send the newest EVs to the scrap heap. This notion has been backed up by multiple studies and is widely accepted by many EV owners. However, a new report has shown that this is no longer the case.
This report comes from Cap HPI, a business entirely focused on supplying the automotive industry and customers with market and industry data. They examined write-offs in the UK from 2015 to August 2024 to find out the rate at which different types and ages of cars are written off. They found that only 0.9% of EVs under five years old have been written off, which is less than half the rate of petrol and diesel vehicles of a similar age! This isn’t an anomalous finding either, as EVs under one year old also had a write-off rate half that of combustion vehicles.
But how can this be the case? Other studies have shown that repair costs for EVs are, on average, 35% more expensive than for combustion vehicles. As such, it should be far easier for an EV to be written off. So, why are so few EVs getting totaled?
Well, I can theorise at least two reasons. Firstly, EVs tend to have more driver-assisted systems that can greatly help mitigate accidents, such as automatic braking. This is partially because it is easier to integrate such technology into an EV but also because almost all EVs currently sold are in more expensive segments in which such technology is expected. Meanwhile, cheaper segments, such as economy cars and superminis, are by far the most popular type of car in the UK; they are also almost all combustion-engined and don’t have this driver assist safety technology. As such, the average EV might simply get into fewer accidents than the average petrol or diesel car, causing a lower write-off rate.
But, while the cost of repairing certain parts of an EV tends to be more expensive than for combustion vehicles, they can actually be far cheaper to repair after an accident. Why? Well, combustion-engined cars place their most expensive and vital component, the engine, within the crumple zone of the vehicles. Meanwhile, EVs place their most expensive component, the battery, within the safety cell, the part of the car designed not to deform during a crash. In fact, the sub-frames that make up the crumple zones of some EVs can be swapped with just a few bolts! As such, an EV that has had a huge frontal collision and looks utterly totalled might be entirely repairable. Meanwhile, if a combustion-engined vehicle had a similar crash, it would actually be totalled, as the engine and drivetrain would need to be entirely replaced.
On top of that, costs to replace EV batteries and other crucial components are getting significantly cheaper. The cost to replace certain EV model packs is now half that of what it was a few years ago.
These plummeting costs and the inherent advantages of EV design mean that EVs can avoid being written off in situations that would swiftly send a combustion vehicle to the scrap yard.
This isn’t to say there are still issues with repairing EVs. Very few garages can work on high-voltage systems or repair the delicate technology that makes them tick. What’s more, many new models, especially those that have been imported, can really struggle with sourcing repair parts. But these aren’t issues with EVs specifically; more an issue with the wider automotive industry not adapting fast enough to service EV owners. Either way, you can now buy an EV in the knowledge that a little bump won’t send your pride and joy straight to the trash.
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Sources: This Is Money, Fleet News, Cap HPI, Motor Trader