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risks of thermal runaway. In an ideal
world such diagnostic tools would be
able to pinpoint any component cells
within a battery which are damaged,
facilitating repair and insurance
decisions.
In addition, the report points to HV
battery repair strategies. Despite
design advancements, battery casings
in EVs remain vulnerable to damage.
That makes having established repair
strategies, readily available parts
and clear methods for common
casing repairs, such as those which
can already be found in Thatcham
Research’s escribe platform, essential.
Crucially, the report goes on to
suggest a further requirement for full
serviceability of HV batteries. Our
advice is that they should be designed
for easy, safe disassembly and allow
for ef昀椀cient dismantling and recovery
of valuable components – such as cells
and modules – easing refurbishment
and manufacturing. The onus should
be on this taking place within the UK to
reduce the risk of increased transport
emissions as part of the process.
Further technical detail is revealed in
the Insurability Blueprint. For instance,
best practice for battery protection
includes designing brackets that can
be removed from the casing without
unsealing the battery pack; and the
need to shield vents, wiring connectors
and other critical components.
Beyond battery-speci昀椀c guidance,
the blueprint offers examples of
other HV components which should
be considered. This includes fully
resettable – and easily repairable –
emergency safety loops. Optimal
implementation uses resettable
switches or fuses, similar to resettable
Research Engineer Jacq Paris in
discussion about battery structural
developments.
The Electri昀椀cation Day
kicked-off Thatcham’s
LIVE2026 Series, a year-long
programme of immersive
events tailored to insurers,
manufacturers, and repairers.
fuel cut-offs found in ICE vehicles,
allowing for system restoration without
component replacement.
was recently published. We look
forward to discussing the submission
further with policymakers later this year.
When cutting wires is required, design
should limit the intervention to easily
replaceable short cable systems. In
addition, secondary disconnection
points – used when the primary system
is damaged or inaccessible – must also
be straightforward to repair.
But the industry cannot establish a
more sustainable future for the UK
car parc without the widest possible
collaboration. We constantly strive to
access and explore real-world data to
feed into our ongoing research, and
the recommendations which are its
output.
Supporting the drive for
sustainability
The requirements described above
are just a snapshot of the insights and
guidance contained in the report,
which bodyshops should be keen to
digest in full.
In addition to publishing our extensive
viewpoint on EV transition and
sustainability to the entire automotive
industry, Thatcham Research also
continues to lobby at the highest
level for a more strategic approach to
become embedded.
Written evidence submitted by
Thatcham Research to the House of
Commons Transport Committee’s
Supercharging the EV Transition inquiry
Thatcham Research welcomes
conversations with repair experts from
across the country, to discuss issues
you may have encountered since EVs
昀椀rst hit the road, as well as emerging
issues you are spotting as time goes
on.
There is certainly room for optimism
during the latest phase of EV adoption.
The repair industry has worked hard
to work itself into a strong position to
handle complex issues that are found
in bodyshop scenarios on a daily basis.
But we still have some way to go to
reach the peak of our efforts. Pushing
on together to 昀椀nd the right solutions
remains the best way to achieve
success.
JOURNAL
EIGHT REQUIREMENTS FOR SUSTAINABLE ELECTRIFICATION
For full details of each requirement please read Thatcham Research’s Insurability Blueprint for Electri昀椀ed Vehicles.
Copies can be requested by emailing comms@thatcham.org
1. Battery damage protection against impact: Consider
5. Accessible diagnostics: EVs should offer easy access to
more adequate shielding of battery and other critical
areas e.g. vents and wiring connectors.
HV system diagnostic information through easy-to-use
equipment, boosting con昀椀dence in battery performance
and reducing write-offs.
2. HV system component design: Recognise risks
beyond the battery, for instance charge port placement;
consider less exposed locations.
3. Resettable emergency safety loop: Systems which
6. Safe and simpli昀椀ed battery handling: Detailed
design documentation and protocols for all personnel
interacting with the battery in repair.
place EVs in a safe mode following collision must be
designed as resettable, without requiring extensive
repair.
7. HV battery repair strategies: Established repair
4. Vehicle Damage Assessor (VDA) guidelines: Clear
8. Serviceability of HV batteries: Vehicle and battery
instructions for VDAs to act safely after an accident,
backed with training programmes.
manufacturers must provide clear, standardised
procedures and – where available – specialised repair
tools and guidance.
strategies, readily available parts and clear methods are
essential.
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