# Electric vehicle repair: costs and reparability under debate > In China, 2.6 million electric vehicles are reaching the end of their warranty period, reigniting questions about battery replacement costs and access for independent workshops, while a global study estimates that post-collision repairs cost approximately 20% more than for internal combustion engines. The increasing integration of cells into packs, known as cell-to-pack, complicates battery reparability across all markets. However, the sub-events show national differences: China is liberalizing the choice of repairer without settling on costs; Italy sees higher repair tariffs being criticized; Spain highlights the painting costs linked to high-voltage protocols; and Germany illustrates the case of the pyrofuse. **In brief**: Ongoing story bringing together 15 events involving Mercedes-Benz, in 6 countries (Chine, Italie, Bulgarie and 3 more), followed from 1 November 2026 to 5 November 2026. 24 articles from 8 sources (used cars and prices, electric and batteries, regulation and tariffs); last updated on 5 November 2026 at 00:42. Figures reported: 260 vehicles. - Status: ongoing - Scope: International - Category: Used cars and prices, Electric and batteries, Regulation and tariffs - Countries: Chine, Italie, Bulgarie, Allemagne, Espagne, Croatie - Brands: Mercedes-Benz - First detected: 1 November 2026 at 03:54 - Updated: 5 November 2026 at 00:42 - Web page: https://mecapress.com/stories/195-electric-vehicle-repair-costs-and-reparability-under-debate ## National stories (6) - China — 5 country-specific events, 13 articles - Italy — 2 country-specific events, 2 articles - Bulgaria — 1 country-specific event, 2 articles - Spain — 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 - 2.000 euros ## Sources by country and language - China: 13 articles, 6 outlets - Bulgaria: 2 articles, 1 outlets - Spain: 2 articles, 2 outlets - France: 2 articles, 2 outlets - Italy: 2 articles, 2 outlets - Germany: 1 articles, 1 outlets - United Kingdom: 1 articles, 1 outlets - United States: 1 articles, 1 outlets **Languages**: Chinese (13), English (4), Spanish (2), French (2), Italian (2), German (1) ## Timeline (15 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 ### 5 November 2026 — [Peindre une pièce de voiture électrique coûterait jusqu'à 2 000 euros en Espagne](https://mecapress.com/events/4529-peindre-une-piece-de-voiture-electrique-couterait-jusqu-a-2-000-euros-en-espagne.md) Selon un carrossier espagnol, peindre une pièce de véhicule électrique peut coûter 2 000 euros contre 400 euros pour un thermique, en raison du protocole de déconnexion du système haute tension. 1 sources, 1 articles · Espagne --- Cite as: Mecapress, “Electric vehicle repair: costs and reparability under debate”, https://mecapress.com/stories/195-electric-vehicle-repair-costs-and-reparability-under-debate Methodology: https://mecapress.com/methodology