electric cars require considerably less routine maintenance than combustion models, but some official workshops are raising their labor rates to offset the resulting drop in repair revenue. Analysts in the aftermarket sector estimate that workshops earn 28% less from electric-vehicle repairs, partly because an electric car has around 20 moving mechanical parts compared with approximately 2,000 in a gasoline vehicle.
The difference has led to complaints in Germany, where some workshops have reportedly set hourly rates 30% higher for electric cars than for combustion vehicles. The German Association of the Automotive Industry, known as ZDK, says the gap can reach €400 in some post-sale centers.
One reported Volkswagen case involved an hourly rate of €212.90 for electric vehicles, compared with €159 for gasoline and diesel models. The same center also charged more for bodywork, despite paint repairs not differing between electric and combustion vehicles: €305.83 compared with €279.65.
Wolf Warncke, general manager of an electric-car dealership belonging to the Volkswagen Group in Germany, criticized the practice. Speaking to Edison, he said some workshops appeared to be trying to recover the income previously generated by oil changes by increasing hourly labor charges. A Kia representative likewise said official workshops were attempting to counter the expected decline in revenue by raising their rates.
Electric vehicles generally remain cheaper to maintain because they eliminate many mechanical components and service operations. Routine maintenance for a Volkswagen ID.3 can cost up to 54% less than for a Volkswagen Golf 7 diesel. However, that advantage is reduced when workshops apply higher labor prices. In Germany, annual maintenance costs for electric and combustion vehicles are already similar in some areas, ranging from €300 to €1,000 depending on the workshop and location.
The trend is also visible in Spain. According to Ganvam, labor prices for zero-emission vehicles rose 16% in 2024. Data from GIPA cited in an industry report indicates that 80% of official centers charge more than €75 per hour for electric vehicles.
Workshops argue that electrification also requires substantial investment. Electric cars need dedicated machinery, tools and diagnostic equipment, while safety equipment alone can cost between €5,000 and €6,000, according to Feveauto. Staff also require specific training to work on high-voltage systems. Independent workshops have called for greater public support to meet these costs during the transition.
At the same time, the growing number of electric vehicles is expected to reduce the total volume of repairs. A report from the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre estimates a 45% reduction in repair operations. If Spain’s entire vehicle fleet were zero-emission, workshop revenue could fall 38% by 2050, from €13.639 billion to €8.472 billion.
Official centers are currently less exposed to that decline because electric-car owners tend to use brand dealerships. In Spain, 83.7% of maintenance visits for zero-emission vehicles take place at official dealerships rather than independent workshops.
Sources: Motorpasión.