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Can any body shop repair an electric vehicle?
Not always. Electric vehicles carry high-voltage battery systems that have to be handled safely during repairs, and the work should follow the carmaker's repair procedures. Before you choose a shop, ask about its experience with your make of EV.
What's different about repairing an EV
- The high-voltage battery. EVs and hybrids run on high-voltage systems. Technicians need training and the right procedures to work around them safely.
- The battery itself may need checking. A hit underneath or to the side of the car can affect the battery pack, so it's worth asking whether the battery should be inspected after a wreck.
- Carmaker procedures. Many EVs use different materials and construction than older cars. Good shops look up and follow the carmaker's repair steps for your exact vehicle.
- Driver-assist sensors. Like most newer cars, EVs often carry cameras and radar that need checking after a repair. More on sensor calibration.
Questions to ask a shop
- Have you repaired my make and model of EV before?
- Do your technicians have training for working on high-voltage vehicles?
- Will you follow the carmaker's repair procedures?
- Will the battery need to be inspected, and who does that?
- Will my car need any sensor calibration afterward?
Right after a wreck
If your EV was in a serious crash, follow the safety guidance in your owner's manual and the instructions of first responders. Don't try to inspect the battery area yourself.
And like any car in Texas, you choose who repairs it. Here's how that works with insurance.