Recently, the maintenance costs of new energy vehicles (NEVs) have garnered significant public attention. One vehicle owner, for instance, was presented with a repair bill exceeding 5,700 yuan for a minor scratch on a rearview mirror, underscoring the exorbitant repair expenses associated with NEVs. The rearview mirrors on NEVs are equipped with multiple intelligent features, including electric adjustment, automatic folding, heating and defogging capabilities, and blind-spot monitoring. Once these mirrors are damaged, they often necessitate the replacement of the entire unit, leading to repair costs that are substantially higher than those for traditional fuel-powered vehicles.

Furthermore, the repair costs for core components of NEVs, such as batteries, motors, and electronic control systems, remain notably high. Minor repairs for these components typically cost 2 to 2.5 times more than their fuel-powered counterparts. Despite the fact that the number of NEVs in China has surpassed 43 million, there are only between 20,000 and 30,000 enterprises with the professional capabilities to repair them, indicating a significant gap in market supply.

Several factors have contributed to the escalation of repair costs, including rapid technological advancements, a shortage of skilled technicians, and an imperfect supply chain for replacement parts. To tackle these challenges, policies are being implemented to enhance data transparency and encourage technology sharing. Educational initiatives are also focusing on strengthening industry-education integration to cultivate a skilled workforce. On the market front, automakers and battery companies are exploring strategies such as granting repair authorizations and achieving cost reductions through economies of scale.