11 February 2022
More than half of drivers (52%*) say they consider the safe repair and any potential replacement of the main driving battery to be an area of concern should an electric car (EV) be involved in a collision.
The survey of more than 13,500 drivers by AA Accident Assist, unsurprisingly found that three fifths (62%) of drivers are most concerned with the cost of EV repairs.
Half of drivers (49%) placed high importance on having specialist EV repairers carrying out mechanical repairs, while 45% say they would rank the availability of parts as important. A quarter (24%) considered the environmental factor of the safe disposal and recycling of the main driving battery as important to them.
Accident Assist service for EV drivers
The survey comes as AA Accident Assist announces major assurances to EV drivers that its services exceed their expectations by covering the cost of repairs, uses accident repair body shops that are approved by EV manufacturers and provide a lifetime quality guarantee on all repairs.
As more people buy electric vehicles, they want reassurances that, should the worst happen, the AA is ready to help.
AA members can use the complimentary service regardless of their insurer and should they not be at fault, members would not need to pay their excess**.
Tim Rankin, managing director of AA Accident Assist, said: “As more people buy electric vehicles, they want reassurances that, should the worst happen, the AA is ready to help.
“We’re giving power to electric drivers with the very best and independent advice, use of EV manufacturer approved garages and body shops, coupled with fitment of genuine manufacturer parts, therefore giving peace of mind to those involved in a collision.
“We also go further by providing our insurer customers and members who have a not-at-fault claim with an electric hire car whilst theirs is undergoing repair, so they can keep the electric revolution going.”
“Regardless of their insurer, AA Accident Assist is able to help EV drivers at the time of their greatest need.”
* AA Yonder Driver Poll, January 2022. 13,746 respondents
** Accident Assist is an independent claims service provided to AA Members as part of their membership. Accident Assist is not a substitute for a driver’s legal requirement for their vehicle to be insured. More details on AA Accident Assist can be found here