EV and hybrids see “much longer average key-to-key times”, says Activate Group

EV and hybrid vehicles see much longer average key-to-key times, up to 16%, compared with combustion engines (ICE).

According to a new study from Activate Group the average key-to-key times for alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) was 1.5 days longer than for combustion engine counterparts. AFVs also face an increased parts to labour ratio, with EVs 29% higher, while Hybrids were 66% higher than ICE vehicles.

Activate group said that AFV parts make up a higher proportion of the total cost than they do in ICE repairs. There are key factors driving this trend: Parts for new models are often expensive and green, or after-market alternatives are not available; many EV models are high-end vehicles where parts are more costly; AFV body work is often made of light plastics that are not as widely repaired as metal panels.

Jo Seys, Head of Engineering at Activate Group said: “As a result of the complexity of AFVs, labour and repair costs are higher than ICE vehicles, with parts costing twice as much as labour for EV repairs.

“For most repairs, the battery must be powered down before work can begin and powered up at completion. This can take up to an hour in total. In some cases, the battery must be removed, and reinstalled at the end of the job. Times vary, but this process can add up to four hours of labour time.

“To work safely with high-voltage battery, recovery agents and repairers must have the correct training and equipment. The risks involved in working with electricity means AFVs can’t simply be treated in the same way as an ICE vehicle.

“The high voltage batteries cannot come into close contact with heat.  This means they often need longer in the paint oven on lower temperatures and fast curing methods, such as infra-red are not suitable from some AFV repairs. The batteries also present a significant health and safety risk and there are additional requirements within the repair process. Trained technicians refer to manufacturer, or Thatcham guidelines, each time they complete an AFV repair.”

While the majority of AFV repairs are for cosmetic damage to the bodywork, before any work can be carried out, the vehicle needs to be assessed to ensure there is no damage to high-voltage components. Vehicle batteries make up a high proportion of the total vehicle value, and therefore, where they need replacing there is often a fine line between repair and total loss.