Rise in damages by 20% and repair expenses by 40% observed post-electrification of the fleet
The city of Hjørring, Denmark, made a switch last year, transitioning its home care unit fleet to battery electric vehicles (BEVs). However, this change has come with its challenges. The city has reported a 20% increase in incidents with damage to the vehicles in the new BEV fleet, and the cost of individual repairs for these vehicles is 40% higher than before the switch. These higher incident rates and repair costs for BEVs are not isolated cases.
One of the main reasons for these issues is the inexperience of many caregivers driving the BEVs. As these caregivers are relatively young, they may not be as familiar with electric motorization, making it harder for them to control the faster-accelerating BEVs. Additionally, the city's home care unit fleet consists of bigger vehicles, making them harder to maneuver in tight spots, potentially contributing to the increased incidents.
In an effort to address these issues, Thatcham Research, a British automotive authority, has signed a two-year consultancy agreement with Chinese OEM Chery. The goal is to keep insurance costs for Chery's vehicles down, thereby lowering their Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Thatcham Research will advise Chery on integrating repairability into the early stages of vehicle design, including electric powertrains and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).
This collaboration between Thatcham Research and Chery focuses on the concept of "Insurability by Design". By considering repairability in the early design stages, the aim is to create vehicles that are not only efficient and environmentally friendly but also cost-effective to repair and insure. This approach could potentially lead to a reduction in the overall cost of ownership for electric vehicles, making them more attractive to consumers.
In response to the issues faced by the city of Hjørring, the city has also taken steps to lower the cost of BEV usage. All its employees have been provided with an introductory course in electric driving to help them become more familiar with these vehicles and reduce the risk of incidents and repairs.
As the adoption of electric vehicles continues to grow, addressing these challenges is crucial for their widespread acceptance. The collaboration between Thatcham Research and Chery is a significant step towards creating more cost-effective and user-friendly electric vehicles, potentially paving the way for a more sustainable future.
