How is collision repair on an electric vehicle different from a gas car?

Several things change. The high-voltage system must be de-energized and locked out before any body work begins, with the service disconnect pulled and the manufacturer-specified waiting period observed so capacitors discharge. The battery pack must be inspected after underbody impacts because enclosure damage is often not visible. On many electric vehicles the pack is structural, which restricts what can be sectioned or straightened nearby and limits the use of heat. EV bodies combine aluminium, ultra-high-strength steel and large castings, each repaired differently and some replace-only. Electric vehicles also carry more cameras, radar and ultrasonic sensors, so removing a bumper is usually a calibration job as well as a body job.

Is it safe to park a damaged electric vehicle in a garage?

If the vehicle has taken a significant underbody impact and the battery pack may be damaged, it should not be parked in an attached garage. A damaged lithium-ion pack can experience a thermal event hours or even days after a collision. Industry guidance is to keep a vehicle with a suspected pack issue outdoors, a set distance away from buildings and other vehicles, and monitored, until it has been inspected.

Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Collision Repair

Q: Can an electric vehicle be towed normally?

Most electric vehicles must be transported on a flatbed. Towing with wheels on the ground can damage the drive units, because the motors continue to turn and generate. When arranging a tow, state that the vehicle is electric.

Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Body Shop Services

Electric and hybrid vehicles require specialized knowledge and equipment for safe, proper collision repairs. At Regal Repair, our highly trained technicians understand the unique components and high-voltage systems found in these vehicles.

We provide specialized EV and hybrid collision repair using genuine parts, advanced equipment, and strict safety procedures. From body repairs to battery system inspections, our team is equipped to handle the complexities of modern electric and hybrid vehicles.

With more than a dozen certifications and a strong reputation for customer service, you can trust Regal Repair to restore your vehicle properly and help get you safely back on the road.

Why Choose Regal Repair?

Specialized Training: Technicians trained to work with electric and hybrid vehicles.
Safety First: Strict procedures for high-voltage electrical systems.
Genuine Parts: Quality parts designed for your specific vehicle.
Advanced Equipment: Specialized tools for accurate, efficient repairs.
Comprehensive Services: Collision repairs and EV/hybrid system inspections.

Popular Electric & Hybrid Vehicles We Service:

Tesla: Model S, Model 3, Model X, Model Y
Nissan: Leaf
Chevrolet: Bolt EV
Toyota: Prius, Prius Prime, RAV4 Hybrid
Honda: Clarity Plug-In Hybrid, Insight
Ford: Mustang Mach-E, Escape Hybrid
Hyundai: Kona Electric, Ioniq
BMW: i3, i8, BMW 740e
Audi: e-tron, Q5 Hybrid
Porsche: Taycan, Panamera E-Hybrid
Kia: Niro EV, Soul EV
Mercedes-Benz: EQC, GLC 350e
Jaguar: I-PACE
Volkswagen: e-Golf, ID.4

And many more...

If your electric or hybrid vehicle has experienced a collision or requires bodywork, trust our experts to restore it to its optimal condition. Schedule an appointment with us today to experience top-tier service tailored for the modern automotive era.

What's actually different about repairing an EV

An electric vehicle isn't a gas car with a different engine. The high-voltage system, the battery pack, and the way the body is built all change what a collision repair involves — and a shop that treats it like any other car is a problem. Here's what changes.

The high-voltage system comes down first

Before anyone touches the body, the high-voltage system is de-energized and locked out — the service disconnect is pulled and the system is left for the manufacturer-specified period so the capacitors fully discharge. Only then does work begin, with insulated tools and rated protective equipment.

This isn't optional and it isn't quick. A shop that skips it is risking your car and its own technicians.

The battery pack gets inspected, not assumed

Any impact to the underbody — a kerb, road debris, a low obstacle — can damage the pack enclosure without leaving a mark you'd notice. Manufacturers specify inspection after certain impacts for that reason.

This matters more than it sounds: an assumed-damaged pack is often what turns a repairable car into an insurance write-off.

A suspect pack changes where the car is stored

A damaged lithium-ion pack can experience a thermal event hours or even days after the collision. Industry guidance is to keep a vehicle with a suspected pack issue outdoors, a set distance from buildings and other vehicles, and monitored.

If your EV has taken a significant underbody hit, don't park it in your garage while you decide what to do. Leave it outside and away from the house.

On many EVs, the battery is structural

The pack isn't just bolted underneath — on a growing number of models it's part of the structure. That restricts what can be sectioned or straightened near it, and some manufacturers prohibit certain repairs in that zone outright.

Heat is also limited near the pack, which rules out techniques that are routine on a gas car.

The body is a mix of materials

EVs lean heavily on aluminum, ultra-high-strength steel and large single-piece castings to offset battery weight. Each is repaired differently, several can't be heated, and some castings are replace-only rather than repairable.

Aluminum also has to be worked in a bay isolated from steel, or embedded particles cause corrosion months later.

More sensors means more recalibration

EVs generally carry more cameras, radar and ultrasonic sensors than comparable gas cars, and many of them live in the front fascia and windshield. Removing a bumper on an EV is usually a calibration job as well as a body job.

Skipping it leaves lane keeping, adaptive cruise and automatic braking reading the road incorrectly.

One thing to get right before we even see it

Most EVs must be moved on a flatbed. Towing with two wheels on the ground can damage the drive units, because the motors keep turning and generating. If you're arranging a tow, say the vehicle is electric — and if you'd rather not deal with it, our pickup service handles it.

What this means for your timeline

EV repairs generally take longer than the equivalent job on a gas car, and it's worth knowing why rather than being surprised: the high-voltage shutdown and restart procedures take time on both ends, battery inspection adds a step, calibration adds another, and EV-specific parts are more prone to backorder.

We'll give you a realistic date at the estimate rather than an optimistic one, and tell you the same day if a part delays it.

EV or hybrid damage? Send us photos and we'll tell you what it needs.

Get a Free Estimate Arrange a flatbed pickup

We Work With All Known Insurance Companies

Our certified estimators work directly with your insurance provider to help streamline the entire repair process and reduce hassle for you. While we communicate with insurance companies on your behalf, we remain fully independent and committed solely to our customers’ best interests.
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Our priority is to ensure you feel supported and informed at every step, while your car is repaired safely and correctly using genuine parts. We focus on clear communication, transparency, and a smooth experience from start to finish.
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Our team handles the insurance coordination so you can avoid unnecessary stress, while we work to minimize unexpected out-of-pocket expenses whenever possible. With us, your needs always come first, and we aim to make the repair process as straightforward and worry-free as possible.

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