AXA gives vital safety advice for EV paint repairs

AXA UK Commercial is providing advice to customers in the motor trade sector about risks associated with paint repairs to electric vehicles (EVs)
Garages and repair shops need to be aware of specific requirements for EVs due to the lithium-ion batteries
Paint booths pose risks for EVs because high temperatures can cause battery damage, fires and explosions

The government ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles from 2030 means we’ll see an increasing number of electric vehicles (EVs) on UK roads in the coming years.

The shift to greener transport presents a raft of new challenges for garages and repair shops, mostly due to the lithium-ion batteries that replace traditional engines in EVs. These batteries require careful storage and handling – and AXA UK Commercial is highlighting a less obvious area where safety risks must be mitigated.

When car panels are repaired and resprayed, they require curing. This is traditionally carried out in high temperature paint booths that reach over 50 degrees Celsius. While this is no problem for petrol or diesel vehicles, it can have a significant impact on EVs.

AXA UK Commercial has created safety risk guidance for EV paint repairs that is being shared with brokers and customers across the motor trade sector to ensure they are aware of the potential dangers. Actions that can be taken include using low temperature or fast-drying paints that need minimal heat exposure or curing with short wave electric IR systems that concentrate heat precisely on panels.

It’s important to follow the original equipment manufacturer’s instructions and use real-time dedicated temperature sensors that continuously monitor critical components including the battery and high-voltage systems.

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AXA Insurance UK plc registered in England and Wales under registered number 078950 and authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Prudential Regulation Authority and the Financial Conduct Authority under Financial Conduct Authority registration number 202312. Registered office is 20 Gracechurch Street, London, EC3V 0BG.

AXA UK is part of the AXA Group, a worldwide leader in insurance and asset management, with 147,000 employees serving 94 million clients in 50 countries. In 2023, IFRS revenues amounted to Euro 102.7 billion and underlying earnings to Euro 7.6 billion. AXA had Euro 844 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2023.

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AXA UK Commercial gives vital safety advice for EV paint repairs