- According to Mitchell, US recorded 38% more claims for EVs in 2024 compared to 2023.
- On average, EVs remain more expensive to repair compared to ICE, Hybrids, and PHEVs.
- Tesla models accounted for over 71% of the total repairable EV claims throughout 2024.
As electric vehicles continue to gain traction on U.S. roads, their crash claims are rising right along with them. According to collision management software provider Mitchell, the US recorded 38% more claims for battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) in 2024 compared to 2023. This surge isn’t exactly shocking, given the growing popularity of fully electric cars. However, it does highlight just how much more expensive these vehicles are to repair.
Rising EV Collision Claims
The study revealed that EVs accounted for 2.71% of all claims in the States in 2024, marking a 38% increase over the previous year. In Canada, the percentage was slightly higher at 3.84%, reflecting a 34% year-over-year jump. These figures are another indication of the rapid growth in EV adoption across North America.
More: EVs Cost 20% More To Repair After Collisions Than ICE Cars
In fact, according to Argonne National Laboratory and Electric Autonomy, there are over 100 different EV models sold in the U.S. and 75 in Canada, with dozens more expected by the end of this year. It’s clear that electric cars are here to stay, and they’re crashing just as often as their gas-guzzling counterparts.
In terms of total loss frequency, EVs experienced a jump from 8% in 2023 to 10.2% in 2024. Mitchell noted that this 2% rise in write-offs was consistent across all vehicle powertrains in America, primarily due to a spike in catastrophic claims during the latter half of 2024.
Tesla Leads the Pack in Claims Frequency
Unsurprisingly, Tesla models dominate the EV crash claim stats. The Model Y and Model 3 topped the charts in the US, with claim frequencies of 31.43% and 29.86% respectively. Together, these two models accounted for more than 60% of the claims for collision-damaged repairable EVs in 2024.
When you factor in the Model S (5.53%) and the Model X (4.58%), Tesla’s share of the total climbs to a hefty 71.4%. The only non-Tesla BEV to crack the top five was the Ford Mustang Mach-E, which saw a claim frequency of 6.37%.
More: Guess How Much It Costs To Repair This Rivian R1T?
Tesla’s dominance isn’t surprising, given the sheer volume of Model Ys and Model 3s on the road. The more cars there are, the greater the likelihood of accidents, and Tesla has more than its fair share of both.
What About The Repair Costs?
Mitchell’s study also revealed the average repair costs for collision-damaged vehicles in 2024, highlighting the stark difference between EVs and traditional internal combustion engines. Electric cars proved to be the most expensive to repair, with an average claim severity of $6,236 in the US, marking a 3% decrease compared to 2023. For reference, ICE vehicles came in at a lower average of $5,066.
However, when we look only at newer ICE models ($6,127), their repair costs begin to rival those of electric cars. This is due to the increased complexity of newer ICE cars, which translates into higher repair costs.
Average Repair Costs (2024)
There are, of course, outliers. Take Rivian, for instance, where owners have frequently voiced frustration over absurdly high repair costs for what are often relatively minor damages – a topic we’ve revisited more than once on these pages.
More: Rivian Owner’s Quality And Service Nightmares Expose The Pain Of Being A ‘Beta Tester’
Mitchell also pointed out that EV values have been declining faster than other powertrain types. This drop in value is linked to factors such as reduced manufacturing costs, the increasing age of these vehicles, and consumer concerns over battery health, especially in used models. As a result, the average total loss market value for EVs dropped significantly in 2024, falling to $33,346 in the U.S. (-22%) and $40,203 in Canada (-18.5%).
