The Shocking Truth About Wrecked Teslas: Why They End Up in Ukraine

TLDRDiscover the hidden operation that sells and ships wrecked Teslas from America to Ukraine, where they are repaired and sold at almost the same price as new cars. This practice is causing car insurance rates to skyrocket in the US.

Key insights

⚡️Wrecked Teslas are being shipped from America to Ukraine for repair and resale.

🌍Ukraine has become a top destination for used EVs, with a growing EV fleet and a supportive government.

💰Insurance companies write off damaged EVs as total losses, leading to higher insurance premiums for EV owners.

🔧Ukrainian mechanics specialize in repairing and refurbishing damaged Teslas imported from North America.

🔋EV batteries from totaled Teslas are repurposed for other applications, such as electric scooters and drones.

Q&A

Why are wrecked Teslas being sent to Ukraine?

—Ukraine has a thriving market for used EVs and skilled mechanics who can repair and refurbish them at a lower cost.

Does this practice affect car insurance rates in the US?

—Yes, insurance companies consider damaged EVs as total losses, leading to higher insurance premiums for EV owners.

Is it safe to buy a repaired Tesla from Ukraine?

—While the quality of repairs may vary, many Ukrainian mechanics specialize in repairing Teslas and have experience working with damaged EVs.

What happens to the EV batteries from totaled Teslas?

—The batteries are dismantled and the individual cells are repurposed for other applications, such as electric scooters and drones.

Are there any efforts to prevent wrecked Teslas from being sent overseas?

—There is growing concern about exporting e-waste and the lack of recycling infrastructure. Some countries are pushing for stricter regulations.

Timestamped Summary

00:00Wrecked Teslas are being shipped from America to Ukraine for repair and resale.

03:08Ukraine has become a top destination for used EVs, with a growing EV fleet and a supportive government.

05:08Insurance companies consider damaged EVs as total losses, leading to higher insurance premiums for EV owners.

06:13Ukrainian mechanics specialize in repairing and refurbishing damaged Teslas imported from North America.

07:57EV batteries from totaled Teslas are repurposed for other applications, such as electric scooters and drones.

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