The Dilemma of New Energy Vehicle Repair: One-Month Wait at 4S Shops, While Third-Party Services Are Deemed Illegal?

According to data from the Traffic Management Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security, as of the end of June 2025, the number of new energy vehicles (NEVs) in China had reached 36.89 million, accounting for 10.27% of the total number of vehicles nationwide. In the first half of 2025 alone, 5.622 million NEVs were newly registered, a year-on-year increase of 27.86%, representing 44.97% of all new vehicle registrations during the same period. 

As the number of NEVs continues to surge, the challenges in maintenance have become increasingly prominent. Official after-sales service centers have long waiting times, while independent repair shops struggle to provide effective services due to technical monopolies held by manufacturers and potential legal risks.

1. The Maintenance Dilemma: Surging Ownership and Restricted Service Channels

China’s new energy vehicle (NEV) repair market has become increasingly monopolized. By 2025, the overall NEV maintenance market is expected to reach 300 billion yuan, with repairs of the “three core systems” (battery, motor, and electronic control) accounting for about 15% of the total. 

Automakers bind customers through warranty clauses, requiring that key repairs be performed only by certified engineers, which effectively limits independent repair shops to handling out-of-warranty vehicles or minor services. 

The cost gap is striking: replacing a battery pack at a 4S dealership can cost over 80,000 yuan, while a third-party repair shop might charge around 2,000 yuan for the same service. A car owner in Jinan complained, “Replacing a battery pack costs 120,000 yuan — that’s enough to buy a new car!”

2. Technical Barriers and Legal Risks    

Automakers maintain a monopoly over after-sales repairs by controlling core data of the “three electric” systems (battery, motor, and electronic control) and restricting access to original parts, making it extremely difficult for non-4S repair shops to obtain legitimate maintenance resources. 

Legal risks have become a sword hanging over the heads of third-party repair technicians. In 2024, two repair workers in Shanghai were sentenced to six months in prison for “sabotaging a computer information system” after unlocking the battery management system of a new energy vehicle, triggering a chilling effect across the industry. 

According to industry data, among 400,000 traditional auto repair shops nationwide, only about 5% (around 20,000) are certified to repair new energy vehicles. As Mr. Wei, a repair shop manager from Shandong, put it: “We’re not afraid of learning new technology — what we fear is that automakers keep the doors locked.”

3. Overseas Experience: The “Right to Repair” Dispute

During the global expansion of Chinese new energy vehicles (NEVs), the issue of the right to repair has already emerged in overseas markets. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has launched investigations into several Chinese NEV manufacturers, including BYD, Zeekr, and XPeng, with the core accusation focusing on the “right to repair” issue. 

These manufacturers are accused of failing to comply with the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Information Sharing Scheme, by not providing independent repair shops with timely access to essential technical information, diagnostic software, and parameters needed for maintenance. 

Australia mandates that automobile manufacturers must provide qualified independent repairers with fair and timely access to such information. Violations may result in fines of up to 47 million yuan (approximately AUD 10 million).

4. Building an Open Maintenance Ecosystem

In response to the growing repair dilemma, some automakers have begun taking action. For example, BYD now allows certified third-party repair shops to perform maintenance and report it through the company’s app without affecting the vehicle warranty. This “authorized third-party repair” pilot program provides valuable insight for the rest of the industry.

Industry experts suggest that automakers can draw inspiration from the European Union’s Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation, which requires the disclosure of basic maintenance protocols and fault codes, enabling third parties to participate in fair competition within safe and compliant boundaries. At the same time, establishing a regulated independent parts supply system could help break the monopoly on original equipment.

Another urgent issue is the shortage of skilled repair talent. Industry data shows that the talent gap in new energy vehicle maintenance has reached 824,000, while there are only 230,000 professional repair shops, far fewer than the 400,000 serving traditional fuel vehicles. Moreover, only 12% of vocational schools currently offer NEV-related training programs, which falls short of market demand. 

A technical director at an auto repair company admitted, “Last week, we had to turn away three vehicles with battery malfunctions — the diagnostic tool displayed ‘unauthorized operation.’” 

In a recent action plan, the General Office of the Hunan Provincial Government specifically called for increasing the density of sales and service networks, including establishing NEV delivery centers and authorized repair stations in county-level cities and remote areas. 

Industry experts emphasize that the intelligence of new energy vehicles should not create “technological prisoners”, but rather allow technology to serve people. As policies take shape and market forces awaken, automakers must abandon “data hegemony” and work together with third-party repair shops to build an open maintenance ecosystem — only then can car owners truly become the masters of their vehicles.

5. Industry Event Preview – Driving Global Collaboration in the NEV Maintenance Sector 

By 2025, China’s new energy vehicle (NEV) maintenance market is projected to reach 255 billion yuan, with an annual growth rate exceeding 30%. However, challenges such as rapid technological iteration, a talent shortage exceeding 820,000 workers, and restricted data access continue to hinder industry development. 

In response, the China International New Energy Vehicle Technology, Parts & Services Exhibition will feature a special “Real Vehicle Maintenance” zone, designed to serve as a collaborative platform for the entire NEV maintenance value chain — connecting manufacturers, service providers, training institutions, and component suppliers to promote global industry synergy and sustainable growth.

On-site Effect Rendering

Four Highlights You Can’t Miss

• Real Demand: Dedicated to solving the “unrepairable.” On-site repairs for faulted NEVs that others can’t—or dare not—fix, with car owners witnessing the entire process.

• Real Repairs: Live demonstrations of complex, high-difficulty maintenance cases — turning technical capability into business opportunities, and repair stations into brand showcases.

• Real Resources: Precise matchmaking between suppliers and service providers, addressing key challenges such as parts procurement, technical support, and cooperation channels.

• Real Highlights: On-site technical competitions among repair experts, where audiences can vote for the “Repair King” and even learn hands-on repair techniques themselves.

Participation Guide 

Date: March 13–16, 2026 

Venue: Beijing • China International Exhibition Center (New Venue, Hall A1)