EV Repairs Cheaper but Take Longer – Why Malaysia Should Worry
A new study by CDK Global has uncovered an unexpected challenge for electric vehicle (EV) owners: while EV repairs are generally less expensive than those for gasoline-powered vehicles, they take significantly longer to complete. This finding could have serious implications for Malaysia’s growing EV market, especially given our lack of local EV infrastructure and expertise.
Key Findings from the Study
- Lower Repair Costs: 53% of non-Tesla EV owners report cheaper repair bills compared to traditional cars.
- Longer Repair Times: Repairs take up to 34% longer for non-Tesla EVs.
- Fewer Same-Day Fixes: In 2024, only 28% of EVs were repaired the same day, down from 40% in 2023.
- Frequent Service Visits: 85% of EV owners required service within the first year, and 21% of non-Tesla owners needed 4–5 trips to resolve issues.
Why the Delay?
- Software-Driven Repairs: Many EV issues involve complex software, not just hardware.
- Technician Training Gap: Dealerships are still upskilling technicians for EV-specific systems.
- Complex Diagnostics and Parts: EV components and diagnostics are more intricate, slowing the process.
Why This is a Problem for Malaysia
Malaysia’s EV ecosystem is still in its infancy. Our battery and EV parts supply chain is not yet established, making sourcing components locally nearly impossible. Most EVs sold here are fully imported, and even the few assembled locally involve minimal local sourcing. This means replacement parts could take weeks to arrive, causing even longer downtimes.
Furthermore, local expertise is lacking—only a handful of technicians are trained to handle EV-specific issues, and most are concentrated in urban areas. If software glitches or high-voltage system repairs are required, owners could face prolonged waiting periods, making EV ownership inconvenient.
As Malaysia pushes toward electrification, addressing these gaps in training, parts supply, and diagnostic capabilities will be critical to avoid frustrating delays and ensure consumer confidence in EV adoption. This may also impact resale value and ultimately total ownership costs as there are far fewer EV repair specialists in Malaysia than ICE workshops.
