# Electric vehicle repair: costs and reparability debated > The issue concerns the costs and reparability of electric vehicles, particularly after warranty expiration and following collisions, with questions about battery pack replacement and access for independent workshops. A global study cites an additional cost of approximately 20% compared to a thermal vehicle, and cell-to-pack integration complicates repairs. In China, 2.6 million vehicles are going out of warranty, and liberalizing the choice of repairer leaves the question of costs open. In Italy, workshops charge higher prices and cases of complex repairs have been reported; in Germany, replacing a pyrofuse can cost up to €20,000, while Bulgaria and Croatia illustrate cases of costly damage or end-of-life batteries. **In brief**: Ongoing story bringing together 14 events involving Mercedes-Benz, in 5 countries (Chine, Italie, Bulgarie and 2 more), followed from 1 November 2026 to 4 November 2026. 23 articles from 8 sources (used cars and prices, electric and batteries, regulation and tariffs); last updated on 4 November 2026 at 16:46. Figures reported: 260 vehicles. - Status: ongoing - Scope: International - Category: Used cars and prices, Electric and batteries, Regulation and tariffs - Countries: Chine, Italie, Bulgarie, Allemagne, Croatie - Brands: Mercedes-Benz - First detected: 1 November 2026 at 03:54 - Updated: 4 November 2026 at 16:46 - Web page: https://mecapress.com/stories/195-electric-vehicle-repair-costs-and-reparability-debated ## National stories (5) - China — 5 country-specific events, 13 articles - Italy — 2 country-specific events, 2 articles - Bulgaria — 1 country-specific event, 2 articles - Germany — 1 country-specific event, 1 articles - France — 0 country-specific event, 2 articles ## Reported figures - 20.000 € - €5,000 ## Sources by country and language - China: 13 articles, 6 outlets - Bulgaria: 2 articles, 1 outlets - France: 2 articles, 2 outlets - Italy: 2 articles, 2 outlets - Germany: 1 articles, 1 outlets - Spain: 1 articles, 1 outlets - United Kingdom: 1 articles, 1 outlets - United States: 1 articles, 1 outlets **Languages**: Chinese (13), English (4), French (2), Italian (2), German (1), Spanish (1) ## Timeline (14 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 — [Replacing a pyrofuse after a minor bump can cost €20,000](https://mecapress.com/events/2930-replacing-a-pyrofuse-after-a-minor-bump-can-cost-20-000.md) A German blog explains that triggering the pyrofuse, the safety circuit breaker for electric cars, can result in repair bills of up to €20,000 after a simple collision. 1 sources, 1 articles · Allemagne ### 3 November 2026 — [In Italy, mechanics charge more for electric car repairs](https://mecapress.com/events/3030-in-italy-mechanics-charge-more-for-electric-car-repairs.md) Italian workshops are applying higher rates for electric vehicle repairs, a practice denounced as abusive by observers. 1 sources, 1 articles · Italie ### 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 ### 4 November 2026 — [Des rats rongent le câblage d'une voiture électrique, 5 000 euros de réparation](https://mecapress.com/events/4129-des-rats-rongent-le-cablage-d-une-voiture-electrique-5-000-euros-de-reparation.md) Un propriétaire de voiture électrique a dû payer environ 5 000 euros après que des rongeurs ont endommagé le câblage du véhicule. 1 sources, 2 articles · Bulgarie ### 4 November 2026 — [Italie : deux nouveaux cas de réparations de véhicules électriques trop complexes](https://mecapress.com/events/4355-italie-deux-nouveaux-cas-de-reparations-de-vehicules-electriques-trop-complexes.md) Deux nouveaux cas illustrent les difficultés de réparation des voitures électriques en Italie, renforçant les critiques sur l'après-vente. 1 sources, 1 articles · Italie ### 4 November 2026 — [La faisabilité du remplacement du pack batterie d'un véhicule électrique en question](https://mecapress.com/events/4447-la-faisabilite-du-remplacement-du-pack-batterie-d-un-vehicule-electrique-en.md) Un média chinois examine les conditions techniques et économiques du remplacement d'une batterie de traction usée sur un véhicule électrique, alors que la réparabilité des packs est débattue. 1 sources, 1 articles · Chine --- Cite as: Mecapress, “Electric vehicle repair: costs and reparability debated”, https://mecapress.com/stories/195-electric-vehicle-repair-costs-and-reparability-debated Methodology: https://mecapress.com/methodology