New data from Mitchell shows repairable collision claims for mild hybrid electric vehicles in Canada climbed to a record 5.28% in the first quarter of 2026, marking a 33% year-over-year increase.
The company’s Q1 2026 Plugged-In: EV Collision Insights report found battery electric vehicle claims in Canada remained stable at 4.94% during the same period, despite slower adoption earlier in the year following federal subsidy cuts.
“Electrification isn’t slowing, it’s evolving,” said Ryan Mandell, vice-president of strategy and market intelligence at Mitchell. “Even as BEV sales soften, the number of hybrids on the road is growing, and that is clearly reflected in the rise of hybrid collision claims.”
Mandell said the shift is creating new challenges for insurers and repairers by increasing repair complexity and the need for additional tooling, labour operations and training.
According to the report, new BEV sales in Canada declined sharply early in 2026 after federal subsidy cuts, but began recovering in March following the reintroduction of government incentives for BEVs and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
The report highlighted rising fuel costs and geopolitical instability in the Middle East as another factor driving consumer interest in electrified vehicles, particularly hybrids.
The report found BEVs continued to generate the highest repair severity in Canada at $7,185, followed by plug-in hybrid electric vehicles at $6,490, MHEVs at $6,370 and internal combustion engine vehicles at $5,605.
Approximately 11.95% of Canadian BEV collision claims resulted in a total loss designation, compared to 12.91% for internal combustion engine vehicles less than six years old.
Mitchell also identified British Columbia and Quebec as the top Canadian markets for repairable BEV claims, with frequencies of 8.66% and 8.60%, respectively.
To learn more, or to read the full report, click here.
