Even as new electric vehicle (EV) sales are fluctuating, the impact they’re having on collision repair remains. The key driver isn’t sales momentum, but the growing number of electric vehicles already on the road. For collision repair shops, that shift is amplifying demands around diagnostics, training, repair planning, and parts sourcing.
Recent industry data confirms that EV repair volume continues to rise, making EV readiness an operational priority for shops across the U.S.
EV Collision Claims Are Increasing
According to Kelley Blue Book, EV sales dipped 2% in 2025, but CCC data show their share of repairable claims jumped 40% YoY, from 2.8% to 4%. As the installed base of EVs grows, more of these vehicles are entering collision repair facilities—driving steady demand regardless of short term sales trends.
This matters for shops because EV repairs often require different workflows than internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, from estimating through delivery.
EV Repairs Are More Complex
One of the most consistent findings across industry reports is repair complexity. With more ADAS systems and electronic architecture, EV repairs generally require more diagnostic scans and calibrations per estimate than ICE vehicles.
This need is amplified by the heavy concentration of sensors, cameras, and other safety features in high-frequency damage areas like bumpers and doors. The impact on collision repairs is an increase in repair planning time and the need for accurate OEM procedures.
OEM Certification, Training, and Equipment Are Raising the Bar
As EV repairs become more common, automakers are raising expectations for how shops prepare. Autobody News reports that OEMs are expanding EV specific certification programs, adding requirements that span technician training, high voltage safety protocols, and specialized shop equipment.
For many collision repairers, EV certification is becoming a strategic decision rather than a checkbox. OEMs continue to emphasize that EV repairs must follow published procedures precisely—especially when high voltage batteries, ADAS components, or mixed material structures are involved—to ensure safety and reduce liability. As a result, EV readiness is increasingly about having the right training, the right equipment, and the right processes in place to meet evolving OEM repair standards.
Parts Availability and Repair Costs Remain Challenges
Parts sourcing remains a pressure point. EV repairs rely heavily on OEM parts, with limited aftermarket availability compared to ICE vehicles. This can extend cycle times and keep average repair costs higher, even as some severity metrics show modest improvement.
The takeaway for shops: EV repairs require tighter repair planning, better visibility into procedures, and accurate documentation to manage cost and cycle time expectations.
What Collision Repair Shops Should Do Next
EVs are no longer a niche repair category. Shops that invest in technician training, follow OEM procedures, and modernize estimating and workflow processes will be better positioned as EV repair volume continues to grow.
EV adoption may ebb and flow—but the vehicles already on the road will shape collision repair operations for years to come.
