Chinese automakers suing over EV repairs – A warning for UK independents?

Concerns rise as independent EV repairers in China face legal action, highlighting potential 'right to repair' issues for the UK aftermarket

Chinese automakers suing over EV repairs – A warning for UK independents?
Photo: Bigstock

The landscape of electric vehicle (EV) repair in China is raising concerns, with independent mechanics facing legal action from automakers. This trend, contrasting with early promises of lower EV maintenance costs, signals potential challenges for independent garages here in the UK.

In China, a key issue is the unclear “right to repair” for EV owners and mechanics, coupled with restricted access to technical data and parts. Automakers have significant control over the repair ecosystem.

Instances include a vlogger, “Brother Long,” being sued by three EV companies for repairs and online videos, and two mechanics receiving suspended prison sentences for “damaging a computer information system” after unlocking locked EV battery packs. This act was deemed to compromise vehicle data authenticity, which is a regulatory requirement.

Automakers like Nio claim these actions prioritise user safety, asserting that authorised centres offer better technical assurance. Concerns include risks from privately unlocked battery packs and potential hazards if factory settings are restored on degraded batteries.

While UK regulations require spare parts and technical information access for professional repairers, the rapid evolution of EV technology and frequent over-the-air (OTA) updates could create similar challenges for UK independents.

EV repair costs in China are often higher than anticipated, particularly for minor collisions. This is partly due to a “replace only” approach at authorised service centres, where integrated components make full system replacement more profitable than component repair. Battery packs, for example, can constitute a significant portion of a vehicle’s cost, making replacement uneconomical.

Automakers’ tight control limits independent shops’ access to parts, information, and diagnostic tools. Warranty clauses are often void if unauthorised repairs occur, leading to debates over vehicle ownership rights. While regulations exist for disclosing repair information, implementation for EVs has been slow.

The Chinese market also faces an estimated shortage of 824,000 skilled EV after-sales service professionals. Policy efforts are underway to reduce EV repair costs and encourage automakers to share technology and sell “three-electric system” components, but progress is gradual.

The current situation in China serves as a cautionary example for the UK, suggesting that without proactive measures, independent garages here could face similar barriers to supporting the growing EV parc.

Source: Sina

3 Comments

  1. After 42 years working in the motor trade as a mechanic and loving repairing cars I’m now so glad my time is nearly up.

    I’ve honestly never known a time in the industry when we are all being fed so much rubbish about ‘Electric cars being the future’ and they will be the ‘Saviour of the environment’ !.

    My main confusion is that if the powers that be are so concerned about the environment then why oh why don’t we make cars and their associated systems repairable, like they used to be, instead of just throwing perfectly good items into landfill when they may only need one part of it replaced and this is now including complete cars which, especially EV, which are being written off / scrapped at the drop of a hat all under the blanket reason of being ‘Uneconomically Viable’ to repair !.

    Well unfortunately‘Economic Viability’ and ‘Environmental Issues’ don’t go together, if you want to save the planet you have to stop throwing stuff away and make items easier to repair by ALL trained mechanics, not just have a dealership monopoly which will push repair prices into an unaffordable situation to many owners.

    Things need to change or they’ll be no mechanic’s left, we’re all getting fed up with it, I won’t hold my breath though !.

    Reply
  2. agree on all aspects
    the problem is the public on the whole are listening to a few idiots in power and thinking they are correct

    Reply
    • You’re absolutely right about that.

      Reply

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