Electric vehicle repair costs in China are soaring: The burden far exceeds that of traditional gasoline-powered cars.
A report from the Zhongbaoyan Research Institute shows that the repair burden index for electric vehicles currently stands at 27.66, significantly higher than the 20.86 for internal combustion engine vehicles.
The latest research from the Zhongbaoyan Automotive Technology Research Institute (China) shows that car maintenance and repair costs are trending upwards across the market, especially for new energy vehicles (NEVs). The study, conducted in its 19th and 20th cycles, surveyed 100 of the best-selling car models in the second half of 2024 and the first half of 2025.
The discrepancy between parts availability and repair burden.
The report focuses on two core indicators: the zero-to-whole ratio (parts per vehicle) and the repair burden index. The zero-to-whole ratio reflects the total retail price of the parts compared to the vehicle's list price, while the repair burden index represents the actual financial pressure involved in repairing the damage.
Below is a table comparing the basic performance indicators between gasoline-powered cars and new energy vehicles:
| Type of vehicle | Ratio of components to complete vehicles | Repair burden index |
|---|---|---|
| Internal combustion engine vehicles (Gasoline) | 391.07% | 20.86 |
| New energy vehicles (Electric/Hybrid) | 312.24% | 27.66 |
Although electric vehicles have a lower overall component cost-to-vehicle price ratio than gasoline vehicles, their repair burden index is significantly higher. This means that when breakdowns occur, the actual cost of replacing and repairing parts in electric vehicles places a greater burden on owners and insurance companies.
Impact from the car price war and component price fluctuations.
Analysts suggest that the fierce price war in the Chinese automotive market is an indirect cause of this situation. As the price of complete vehicles drops sharply to compete, the ratio of component costs to the vehicle's total cost is inadvertently pushed up. In particular, luxury models priced above 500,000 yuan (approximately $69,000 or VND 1.7 billion) record the highest average component cost ratio in the market.
The parts with the sharpest price increases.
The study also identified the specific components that are costing users the most:
- For gasoline-powered vehicles:The rearview mirror assembly is the part that has seen the biggest price increase.
- For new energy vehicles:The exterior taillights saw the highest average increase in component ratio, while the front bumper recorded the largest average increase in cost.
This increase in costs forces consumers, especially electric vehicle owners, to carefully consider long-term operating costs and insurance premiums in the context of rapidly changing vehicle technology.
