# Electric vehicle repair: costs and after-sales access in question > In China, the liberalization of repairer choice for new energy vehicles and the arrival out of warranty of 2.6 million electric vehicles highlight the cost of battery repairs, often close to a full pack replacement. Worldwide, a study puts electric vehicle post-crash repair at about 20% more than for an internal combustion vehicle, while cell-to-pack integration complicates repairability. The sub-events mainly distinguish China, where 2026 rules and limited access for independent workshops are debated, and a Croatian case illustrating the difficulties of a Mercedes EQS with a degraded battery; France covers the topic without a detailed national sub-event provided. **In brief**: Ongoing story bringing together 9 events involving Mercedes-Benz, in 2 countries (Chine, Croatie), followed from 1 November 2026 to 4 November 2026. 17 articles from 6 sources (used cars and prices, electric and batteries, regulation and tariffs); last updated on 4 November 2026 at 04:26. Figures reported: 260 vehicles. - Status: ongoing - Scope: International - Category: Used cars and prices, Electric and batteries, Regulation and tariffs - Countries: Chine, Croatie - Brands: Mercedes-Benz - First detected: 1 November 2026 at 03:54 - Updated: 4 November 2026 at 04:26 - Web page: https://mecapress.com/stories/195-electric-vehicle-repair-costs-and-after-sales-access-in-question ## National stories (2) - China — 4 country-specific events, 12 articles - France — 0 country-specific event, 2 articles ## Sources by country and language - China: 12 articles, 6 outlets - France: 2 articles, 2 outlets - Spain: 1 articles, 1 outlets - United Kingdom: 1 articles, 1 outlets - United States: 1 articles, 1 outlets **Languages**: Chinese (12), French (2), English (2), Spanish (1) ## Timeline (9 events) ### 1 November 2026 — [China: opening up repair choice for electric vehicles raises cost questions](https://mecapress.com/events/851-china-opening-up-repair-choice-for-electric-vehicles-raises-cost-questions.md) The liberalization of repairer choice for new energy vehicles leaves the question of maintenance costs unresolved. 1 sources, 1 articles · Chine ### 3 November 2026 — [China: 2.6 million electric vehicles soon out of warranty, battery repair in question](https://mecapress.com/events/2918-china-2-6-million-electric-vehicles-soon-out-of-warranty-battery-repair-in.md) An investigation reveals that 2.6 million Chinese electric vehicles are reaching the end of their warranty period, and replacing a faulty cell often requires changing the entire pack, costing tens of thousands of yuan, while independent workshops face obstacles. 2 sources, 6 articles · Chine ### 3 November 2026 — [After-sales costs of electric vehicles scrutinized in China](https://mecapress.com/events/3230-after-sales-costs-of-electric-vehicles-scrutinized-in-china.md) An article details the warranties for the three main electric components and repair channels for electric vehicles in China, as after-sales costs spark debate. 1 sources, 1 articles · Chine ### 3 November 2026 — [China: After-sales costs of electric vehicles scrutinized](https://mecapress.com/events/3216-china-after-sales-costs-of-electric-vehicles-scrutinized.md) An article details the three main friction points regarding maintenance and repair costs for electric vehicles in China, in light of new regulations introduced in 2026. 1 sources, 1 articles · Chine ### 3 November 2026 — [Réparer un véhicule électrique après un choc coûte 20 % de plus qu'un thermique](https://mecapress.com/events/3767-reparer-un-vehicule-electrique-apres-un-choc-coute-20-de-plus-qu-un-thermique.md) Une étude indique que la réparation d'une voiture électrique après un accident coûte environ 20 % de plus que celle d'un véhicule thermique. 1 sources, 1 articles · Worldwide ### 3 November 2026 — [Cell-to-pack complicates battery repairability](https://mecapress.com/events/3324-cell-to-pack-complicates-battery-repairability.md) The increasing integration of cells into packs and then into the vehicle structure improves density and cost but makes battery repair more difficult. 1 sources, 1 articles · Worldwide ### 3 November 2026 — [Chine : la réparation des véhicules électriques hors garantie en difficulté](https://mecapress.com/events/3576-chine-la-reparation-des-vehicules-electriques-hors-garantie-en-difficulte.md) La presse chinoise décrit les difficultés rencontrées par les propriétaires de véhicules à énergie nouvelle dont la garantie batterie a expiré, entre coûts élevés et accès limité aux réparations. 1 sources, 4 articles · Chine ### 3 November 2026 — [Mercedes EQS with 300,000 km and degraded battery leaves Croatian garage puzzled](https://mecapress.com/events/3530-mercedes-eqs-with-300-000-km-and-degraded-battery-leaves-croatian-garage-puzzled.md) In Croatia, a Mercedes EQS 450+ with 300,000 km arrives at EV Clinic with a battery nearing the end of its life; the quote and response from Mercedes leave its future uncertain. 1 sources, 1 articles · Croatie ### 3 November 2026 — [Electric vehicle repair costs analyzed by an expert](https://mecapress.com/events/3583-electric-vehicle-repair-costs-analyzed-by-an-expert.md) An expert review examines the repair costs of electric vehicles and their specificities compared to internal combustion engine models. 1 sources, 1 articles · Worldwide --- Cite as: Mecapress, “Electric vehicle repair: costs and after-sales access in question”, https://mecapress.com/stories/195-electric-vehicle-repair-costs-and-after-sales-access-in-question Methodology: https://mecapress.com/methodology