The high cost of repairing or replacing a battery could shorten the lifespan of an electric vehicle.
An electric vehicle's longevity depends on more than just the durability of its motor, bodywork, or even the battery itself. Bosch identifies another potentially decisive factor: the cost of repairing the vehicle as it ages. If a major breakdown makes repair financially unviable, a car that is otherwise still functional might be taken off the road prematurely.
Rupert Hoellbacher, Managing Director of Bosch Mobility Aftermarket, highlighted this very issue in an interview with *Automobilwoche* magazine. He believes that unless the industry makes battery repair and replacement more affordable, "the lifespan of electric cars will decrease."
It is not just about how long a battery lasts.
Traction batteries are among the most expensive components of an electric vehicle. Over time—and especially after the warranty period has expired—a significant failure can create a financial dilemma: if the cost of repair or replacement approaches or exceeds the vehicle's residual value, fixing it may no longer be cost-effective for the owner.
Hoellbacher focuses specifically on the distinction between technical lifespan and economic lifespan. A vehicle may remain mechanically functional, yet its practical viability can be compromised if the cost of repairing a key component is excessive. This situation could lead to some electric vehicles being scrapped prematurely, before they have reached their full potential for use.
However, Bosch does not claim that replacing the entire battery pack is necessary in every instance of battery trouble. Instead, one proposed solution involves improving diagnostic processes and facilitating the repair or replacement of individual components, thereby avoiding the need to replace the entire battery when the fault is localized to a specific area.
This approach could have a significant impact on the final repair bill. The ability of workshops to service specific components of the high-voltage system is a decisive factor in the economic viability of maintaining older electric vehicles currently on the road.
Bosch opposes the "disposable car" model.
Bosch’s concerns are also closely linked to the future of the aftermarket. Electrification entails the reduction or transformation of certain traditional maintenance operations. At the same time, however, the importance of electronics, high-voltage systems, diagnostics, and specialized battery repair is growing.
Hoellbacher considers it vital for cars to remain repairable throughout their entire service life. For this to happen, a technical solution alone is not enough; the repair must also be affordable relative to the vehicle's value—particularly for older cars that are out of warranty.
This issue is even more significant in the used-car market. A prospective buyer of a second-hand electric vehicle evaluates not only the remaining range or the car's general condition but also the financial risk associated with potential future battery repairs. A more developed and competitive repair market could help mitigate this uncertainty.
For this reason, Bosch is promoting an ecosystem that enables independent workshops to diagnose and repair these systems more easily. The ability to service specific modules—rather than routinely replacing the entire battery pack—would reduce costs and extend the lifespan of vehicles that are otherwise in good condition.
Hoellbacher’s warning, therefore, does not call into question the technical durability of electric vehicles; the point being made is different. It is important to recognize that while a vehicle may have a long potential lifespan, realizing that potential depends on repair being an economically viable option at the right moment. For Bosch, reducing costs and expanding battery repair options will be crucial to ensuring the optimal lifespan of electric vehicles.
