Mitchell: Gap in average repairable claims severity between BEVs, ICE vehicles
Mitchell International’s latest “Plugged-In: EV Collision Insights” report on Q2 shows a gap in average claims severity between repairable battery electric and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, reaching its lowest level on record in the U.S. and Canada.
In the U.S. last quarter, the difference between average repairable severity for BEVs and ICE alternatives was $729 — $5,684 for BEVs and $4,955 for ICE vehicles.
In Canada, the gap was $1,234 CAD with BEV severity of $6,645 CAD versus $5,411 CAD for ICE.
“Although BEVs remain more costly to repair, Mitchell’s latest data suggests that higher total loss frequency and a maturing electric vehicle fleet are bringing repair expenses across powertrain options closer to parity,” states a Mitchell press release about the report.
Ryan Mandell, Mitchell’s vice president of strategy and market intelligence, added: “The shrinking BEV repair cost premium is an important development for insurers and collision repairers, particularly as the electric vehicle car parc ages. At the same time, ongoing trade and geopolitical uncertainty could put renewed pressure on replacement part costs and availability, with BEVs particularly exposed because of their greater reliance on OEM components.”
In the report, Mandell writes that while the severity gap is an encouraging trend, geopolitical and trade conditions could “place renewed pressure” on repair costs in the coming months.
“Conflict in the Middle East has increased uncertainty surrounding energy markets, global shipping routes, and aluminum supplies, potentially affecting the cost and availability of replacement parts,” Mandell wrote. “At the same time, tariffs and review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) are continuing to influence where vehicles and parts are manufactured and sourced. As automakers and suppliers adjust production and distribution strategies, collision repairers and carriers could experience greater variability in parts pricing, availability, and delivery times. These developments are particularly relevant for BEVs, which are more dependent on OEM replacement parts than ICE alternatives and typically have fewer parts repaired versus replaced.”
Mitchell notes marked regional trend differences in EV claims volume, and states that while BEV repairable claims remained flat at 3% in the U.S., mild hybrid electric vehicle (MHEV) claims reached a new all-time high of 6%. The MHEV claims increased 26% year over year (YoY).
In Canada, BEVs and MHEVs each accounted for more than 5% of repairable claims, setting new records and rising 12% and 28% YoY, respectively. Mitchell says that Canadian sales of new EVs also jumped 21% in the first four months of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025.
The report also shows that BEVs continue to rely more heavily on OEM parts compared to ICE vehicles.
“On estimates for repairable vehicles, the percentage of parts dollars designated for OEM parts was 85% for BEVs versus 61% for ICE alternatives,” the release states.
It notes fewer repair-versus-replace decisions for collision-damaged BEVs compared to ICE vehicles. Mitchell found that last quarter, 15% of parts on BEV estimates were written for repair compared to 17% for ICE vehicles.
The full report can be downloaded here.
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