Bosch Automotive Aftermarket executive Rupert Pertlbach warns that the shift toward electric vehicles may lead to shorter vehicle lifespans. The primary concern is the high cost of maintaining complex high-voltage systems, particularly batteries, once the manufacturer warranty expires.
Battery packs represent the most expensive component in electric vehicles. While many faults can be resolved by repairing individual modules rather than replacing the entire pack, the current repair costs often exceed the residual value of older vehicles, making total loss a more logical economic choice for owners.
Bosch emphasizes that the future of vehicle longevity depends on the aftermarket sector's ability to perform affordable battery diagnostics and component-level repairs. Without a cost-effective maintenance model, the industry risks premature vehicle disposal, which contradicts sustainability goals.
The company highlights that many vehicle parts are engineered for long-term use, but economic factors currently discourage long-term ownership. Improving repair accessibility is now considered a core task for the automotive industry to ensure that electric cars remain viable on the road for decades.
