A new report examining the differences in repair severity and frequency between electric vehicles (EV) and internal combustible engines (ICE), has found that while frequency and severity has increased as more EVs are on the roads, EVs are more likely to be drivable after an accident.

In its Q2 2023 report, Plugged-In: EV Collision Insights, Mitchell, an Enlyte company and technology and information provider, noted that electric vehicle (EV) repairable claims frequency rose to 1.49 percent in the U.S. and 2.64 percent in Canada last quarter.

Average severity for all EVs was $963 higher in the U.S. and $1,328 higher in Canada than ICE alternatives, the report stated.

Tesla models continue to be more expensive to repair, with cost differentials jumping to $1,589 and $1,600 respectively.

EV parts are typically provided directly from the manufacturer, with 90.75 percent of repairable EVs using OEM parts as compared to 66.50 percent for ICE automobiles, a difference of 24.25 percent.

According to the report, a lower percentage of parts are repaired versus replaced on EVs: 13.49 percent versus 19.20 percent for ICE-powered options.

A key driver of collision claim expenses are the labor hours for paint refinishing, which may account for 40 percent of the total labor time for an average repair order .

In Q2, refinish hours for EVs averaged 8.51 compared to 8.02 for ICE automobiles.

“Not surprisingly, claims severity for repairable EVs is outpacing that of ICE alternatives,” said Ryan Mandell, director of claims performance at Mitchell.

“However, the most recent data shows that EVs are less likely than ICE vehicles to be non-drivable following an accident. Despite greater interconnectivity between components, they have fewer moving parts,” he added. “So, unless an EV gets hit from behind, it has a higher likelihood of drivability. Differences like these will have a dramatic effect on the auto insurance and collision repair markets, given the recent growth in EV adoption.”