Your electric vehicle deserves a shop that understands it.

British Columbia has one of the highest EV adoption rates in North America — and that number is accelerating. EV and hybrid vehicles carry high-voltage battery systems operating at voltages far beyond conventional 12V vehicle systems. A conventional collision repair — even a straightforward one — can bring a technician into contact with these systems without warning if the vehicle isn't properly handled. High-voltage system isolation must be performed before any significant repair work begins. Battery pack assessment is required after any impact that reached the battery tray area — a compromised lithium battery can fail days or weeks after an accident. OEM repair procedures for EV-specific structures are different, because the battery pack is structural in most EVs. And all applicable ADAS systems must be recalibrated as part of every repair.

• Any collision involving a Nissan Leaf, Ariya, or other Nissan EV
• Any collision involving a Volvo XC40 Recharge, C40 Recharge, or EX90
• Any collision involving a Toyota, Lexus, or other hybrid vehicle
• Any impact where the battery tray area may have been reached
• Any conventional collision repair on an EV or PHEV where HV system safety matters

1. 1
   Step 1:

   Initial assessment and HV system status check

   When your EV or hybrid arrives, our first step is confirming the status of the high-voltage system. If there's any risk of system compromise from the collision, we perform isolation before disassembly begins.

2. 2
   Step 2:

   Full damage assessment — conventional and HV systems

   We evaluate body damage, structural damage, and any HV system involvement. Battery tray damage, wiring harness routing conflicts, and inverter housing damage are assessed at this stage.

3. 3
   Step 3:

   ICBC claim and parts sourcing

   EV OEM parts can have longer lead times. We flag lead times early, set realistic expectations, and manage the ICBC approval in parallel.

4. 4
   Step 4:

   Structural and body repair — per OEM EV procedure

   For EV-specific structural areas (underbody, battery tray surrounds, rocker structures), we follow the OEM procedure for that architecture — not a conventional vehicle equivalent.

5. 5
   Step 5:

   HV system reinstatement and battery assessment

   High-voltage systems are reinstated per manufacturer procedure. If the battery tray or HV wiring was in the repair zone, the system is inspected and tested before reinstatement.

6. 6
   Step 6:

   ADAS recalibration, full diagnostic, and delivery

   All ADAS systems are recalibrated. A full module scan confirms the vehicle is operating correctly — EV systems and conventional systems. Quality inspection, detail, and delivery.

Is it safe to bring a damaged EV to any collision shop?

Not all shops are equipped or trained for high-voltage vehicles. Working on an EV without HV safety certification creates serious risk for technicians — and for vehicle owners who take a car back with a compromised HV system that wasn't assessed. Look for a shop with documented high-voltage training and your vehicle manufacturer's certification.

What happens if my EV's battery was damaged in the accident?

Depending on severity, a compromised battery may need inspection, partial repair, or full replacement. This is covered under ICBC as part of the repair claim for the insured event. We assess the battery system as part of every repair where the impact could have reached it — and we don't pass the vehicle without clearing the HV system.

Will my EV's manufacturer warranty be affected by the repair?

A repair performed to OEM procedure by a certified facility should not affect your warranty. Repairs performed outside OEM procedure — or by a shop without access to the OEM repair specification — can create warranty complications. We document everything and follow OEM procedure.

Does ICBC cover EV-specific repairs differently?

No — ICBC covers the cost of restoring your vehicle to pre-loss condition, regardless of drivetrain. EV-specific parts and procedures are part of that standard. We advocate for OEM components and procedures with ICBC on your behalf.

Can you service hybrids and plug-in hybrids too, or just full EVs?

Both. The high-voltage systems in hybrids and PHEVs operate at lower voltages than full EVs but still require trained handling. We're equipped and certified for the full spectrum — full EV, PHEV, and conventional hybrid.