Critical Shifts:
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Record-Low Repair Cost Gap: The difference in average repair claims between BEVs and gas vehicles fell to its lowest level on record—$729 in the U.S. and $1,234 CAD in Canada.
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Hybrid Claims Surge: U.S. BEV repairable claims remained flat at 3%, while mild hybrid claims rose 26% year-over-year to reach a record 6%.
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OEM Parts Pricing Risks: High reliance on OEM components paired with trade and geopolitical uncertainty could strain EV replacement parts pricing and availability.
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Mitchell’s latest EV collision data shows the cost gap between repairing battery-electric vehicles and gasoline-powered vehicles continued to narrow in the second quarter of 2026.
According to the company’s new Plugged-In: EV Collision Insights report, the difference in average repairable claims severity between BEVs and internal combustion engine vehicles reached its lowest level on record in both the U.S. and Canada.
In the U.S., the average repairable BEV claim was $5,684 during the quarter, compared with $4,955 for ICE vehicles—a difference of $729. In Canada, average BEV repair severity was $6,645 CAD, compared with $5,411 CAD for gasoline-powered vehicles, leaving a gap of $1,234 CAD.
BEVs still cost more to repair on average, but the narrowing difference could reflect a maturing EV fleet and higher total-loss rates among electric vehicles, Mitchell said.
“The shrinking BEV repair cost premium is an important development for insurers and collision repairers, particularly as the electric vehicle car parc ages,” said Ryan Mandell, Mitchell’s vice president of strategy and market intelligence.
Mandell noted, however, that replacement parts remain a potential concern, particularly for EVs, which often rely more heavily on OEM components. Trade and geopolitical uncertainty could put additional pressure on parts pricing and availability, he said.
The report also found that EV-related claims trends continue to vary between the U.S. and Canada:
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In the U.S., BEVs accounted for 3% of repairable claims, unchanged from the previous year.
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Mild hybrid electric vehicle claims reached a record 6% of U.S. repairable claims, up 26% year over year.
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In Canada, both BEVs and MHEVs accounted for more than 5% of repairable claims, with volumes rising 12% and 28%, respectively.
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Canadian new EV sales increased 21% during the first four months of 2026 compared with the same period last year.
For dealers following the evolving used-EV market, the data points to a changing collision and ownership picture as more electric vehicles age and move deeper into the vehicle population. While repair costs remain higher, the gap with traditional gasoline vehicles is becoming smaller.
