Bosch warns that the rising complexity of electric vehicles and the high cost of battery replacements threaten to shorten the overall lifespan of cars. Rupert Hoellbacher, head of Bosch Mobility Aftermarket, stated that the economic viability of repairs is essential for keeping aging vehicles on the road.
The company emphasizes that replacing an entire battery pack is often unnecessary, as many issues can be resolved by repairing individual modules. Bosch advocates for independent workshops to gain the capability to diagnose and fix specific battery components to keep maintenance costs manageable for owners.
If battery repair services do not become more affordable, vehicles may be sent to scrapyards prematurely once their original warranties expire. Bosch notes that while many vehicle components are built for long service lives, high repair costs could force owners to discard cars that are still mechanically sound.
The industry faces a challenge where the economic lifespan of an electric vehicle may end long before its mechanical potential. Bosch argues that focusing on repairability and durability is necessary to prevent electric cars from becoming disposable products, especially as new vehicle prices continue to rise.
