Repair Demand Surges for Electric Vehicles in North America

The latest analysis from Mitchell's Plugged-In: EV Collision Insights reveals a significant rise in repair demands as electric vehicles (EVs) proliferate across North America. Despite a slowdown in new vehicle sales, the report highlights an increase in collision claims involving battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). The United States saw a 14% rise in repairable BEV claims over the previous year, while Canada experienced a 24% increase. This trend underscores the growing demand for specialized repair capabilities, independent of the pace of new vehicle sales.

Although BEV sales in the U.S. saw a minor 2% decline in 2025, repairable claims continued to rise due to the expanding EV fleet. BEVs made up approximately 3.07% of all repairable auto claims in the U.S. last year, with hybrid vehicles also showing increases across North America. "Even as BEV adoption slowed, claims volume rose since more of these automobiles are on the road than ever before," stated Ryan Mandell, vice president of strategy and market intelligence at Mitchell.

Repairable claims for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles increased by 6% in the U.S. and surged by 26% in Canada. Mild hybrid claims grew by 20% in the U.S. and 29% in Canada. This growth signifies the increasing impact of electrified vehicles on the repair market, necessitating advanced repair capabilities.

Complexity and Expertise in EV Repairs

EV repairs demand greater expertise and time compared to internal-combustion vehicles. Mitchell reported that BEVs required an average of 1.70 calibrations per estimate in 2025, more than traditional vehicles, due to advanced driver-assistance systems and electronic components. Additionally, EV repairs heavily relied on original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts, comprising approximately 86% of the parts dollars on repairable BEV estimates, significantly higher than for conventional vehicles.

Despite the intricate nature of repairs, cost metrics have shown slight improvements. The average severity for repairable BEV claims decreased by about 5% in the U.S. and 2% in Canada in 2025. Furthermore, total loss market values for BEVs dropped more notably compared to other powertrain types, driven by factors like accelerated depreciation and more affordable models.

This analysis builds on previous reports that noted fluctuations in EV collision activity due to market conditions. For collision repair centers, the findings highlight the necessity of maintaining expertise in electrified vehicles. As more EVs age and enter the repair cycle, repair shops lacking the required certifications and resources may struggle to meet the evolving demand.