AXA Issues Alert on EV Paint & Spray Repairs

Some timely advice to anyone in the Motor claims sector;

The government ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles from 2030 means we’ll see an increasing number of electric vehicles (EVs) on UK roads in the coming years. The shift to greener transport presents a raft of new challenges for garages and repair shops, mostly due to the lithium-ion batteries that replace traditional engines in EVs. These batteries require careful storage and handling – and AXA UK Commercial is highlighting a less obvious area where safety risks must be mitigated.

When car panels are repaired and resprayed, they require curing. This is traditionally carried out in high temperature paint booths that reach over 50 degrees Celsius. While this is no problem for petrol or diesel vehicles, it can have a significant impact on EVs.

“Exposing an EV battery to high temperatures can cause lasting damage and the high voltage components on the car can short, causing them to catch fire or explode. It’s crucial that repairers are aware of the dangers of using standard paint curing cycles for EVs and make adjustments according to the manufacturers’ recommendations.

“Many garages may not currently be equipped to handle EV repairs as this requires technicians to undergo specific training. However, even repairing a dent in a panel on an EV requires expertise to ensure the vehicle is handled correctly and isn’t inadvertently damaged or catches fire during the curing process.” Dan Wilkins, Property Technical Risk Manager, AXA UK Commercial

AXA UK Commercial has created safety risk guidance for EV paint repairs that is being shared with brokers and customers across the motor trade sector to ensure they are aware of the potential dangers. Actions that can be
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AXA UK Commercial is providing advice to customers in the motor trade sector about risks associated with paint repairs to electric vehicles (EVs)
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Garages and repair shops need to be aware of specific requirements for EVs due to the lithium-ion batteries
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Paint booths pose risks for EVs because high temperatures can cause battery damage, fires and explosions

taken include using low temperature or fast-drying paints that need minimal heat exposure or curing with short wave electric IR systems that concentrate heat precisely on panels. It’s important to follow the original equipment manufacturer’s instructions and use real-time dedicated temperature sensors that continuously monitor critical components including the battery and high-voltage systems.