Repairing instead of replacing saves over 1000 tons of CO2 per year

Replacement parts for car repairs have a negative impact on the environment. By consistently repairing instead of replacing windshields and bumpers alone, Switzerland could save over 1000 tons of CO₂ per year. The insurance company AXA is now offering an assessment for repair workshops and introducing an industry label – based, among other things, on a study led by Empa researchers.

AXA / Empa 02.02.2023

The trend of repairing instead of replacing is also gaining traction in the automotive industry. According to an Empa analysis commissioned by AXA, replacing a single windshield results in the emission of an additional 15.3 kilograms of greenhouse gases (in CO₂ equivalents) compared to repairing it. In total, an estimated 40,000 windshields in Switzerland are immediately replaced. Consistent repair could thus save more than 600 tons of CO₂ equivalents annually, as AXA's calculations show.

The situation is similar for bumpers: Across Switzerland, around 30,000 bumpers per year are likely to be directly replaced instead of repaired. According to Empa's analysis, replacing a bumper instead of repairing it has an additional environmental impact of 14.5 kilograms of CO₂ equivalents. As a result, repairs could save over 400 tons of CO₂ equivalents.

To increase the repair rate, AXA Switzerland recently developed a self-assessment for Swiss repair shops. AXA is also a co-initiator of a nationwide industry label for those businesses that operate according to environmentally friendly standards and favor repair over replacement whenever possible. The green car repair label will be launched this year under the leadership of carrosserie suisse.

To the press release of AXA (in German)