Over the last few years, independent auto body repair shops in Minnesota and throughout the United States have seen close to a 90% increase in electric vehicles coming in for service. And these vehicles, which include both battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), are affecting the way collision repair shops work.

How? Read on to learn what’s changing in the auto body repair industry since electric vehicles have become increasingly popular in recent years.

Auto Body Repair Shops Are Working to Keep Up With the Electric Vehicle Trend
Many independent auto repair shops do not advertise that they’re equipped to perform body repairs on electric vehicles. But approximately 30% of all independent collision repair shops report having invested in new equipment and specialized employee training focused on fully electric or hybrid electric vehicles.

Generally speaking, larger shops with more bays have invested further into training and equipment than small shops, but that’s not necessarily true across the board. Overall, 67% of independent repair shops say that a portion of their overall revenue comes from servicing electric vehicles.

Presently, 55% of auto body repair shops estimate that it’ll take about a decade for electric vehicles to really affect the way their business operates, while 13% don’t believe EVs will ever significantly affect their business.

What’s Different About Auto Body Repairs for Electric Vehicles?
Although it might seem that the body of an EV isn’t all that different from the body of a fuel-powered vehicle, there are a few differences in the repair process that you should know about. If you own an electric vehicle, here’s what you should know about getting dent repairs, fender bender repairs, or any other type of body repair:

● EV body repairs may require less time, which will impact the overall labor costs of servicing your automobile.
● Body repairs for EVs typically cost a bit more than those for fuel-powered vehicles.
● Electric vehicles are equipped with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), which will require recalibration that will likely increase overall repair costs.

For a more in-depth breakdown of what you should know about getting your EV fixed, check out 3 Things to Know About Auto Body Repairs for Your EV.

Get a Free Estimate for Electric Vehicle Auto Body Repairs in the Twin Cities
If you own an electric vehicle that needs major collision repairs, hail damage repairs, touch-up paint, or any other type of body repair, get in touch with our team at Minnetonka Collision Center! We specialize in auto body repairs for high-end vehicles, electric vehicles, and all other makes and models of automobiles. We serve drivers throughout Plymouth, MN, and the surrounding areas and provide limited lifetime guarantees on all of our work.

To learn more or get a free repair estimate, give us a call today at 763-230-7805 or request an estimate online, and we’ll get in touch with additional information.