Thatcham Research and BYD have announced a landmark 12-month partnership to make electric vehicle ownership in the UK more sustainable and affordable. The collaboration will help BYD’s growing UK model range meet the highest standards for repairability, supporting lower insurance costs and reduced total cost of ownership.
Starting 1 January 2026, the agreement will see Thatcham Research provide consultancy during the early stages of vehicle design. This ensures BYD models are engineered to minimise damage and repair costs from low-speed collisions, allowing vehicles to return to the road quickly and cost-effectively. The partnership underscores BYD’s commitment to producing safer, more insurable electric vehicles as it accelerates growth in the UK market.
Repair-related costs represented 64% of total claims in Q3 2025, amounting to £1.9 billion. As vehicles become more technologically advanced, repairs often require specialist skills and equipment. By embedding ‘insurability’ as a design attribute, the partnership aims to reduce unnecessary write-offs and maximise vehicle lifespan.
“We’re delighted to deepen our relationship with BYD at such a pivotal time for the automotive industry,” said Jonathan Hewett, chief executive, Thatcham Research. “As new entrants accelerate into the UK and European markets, prioritising repairability is critical for insurer confidence and long-term sustainability.”
Additionally, Thatcham Research will advise on repair methods and training to support BYD’s investment in UK-approved repair networks and technical programmes, facilitating safe, efficient repairs for BYD’s advanced EV platforms.
The collaboration will also include consultancy on meeting appropriate New Vehicle Security Assessment (NVSA) requirements, with Thatcham Research experts supporting BYD in the adoption of advanced anti-theft measures and robust mechanical security features.
BYD’s UK momentum
Globally, BYD sold over three million new energy vehicles last year and is now targeting Europe as a growth engine. In September 2025, the UK became the company’s largest market outside China for the first time, backed by local infrastructure investment and a strong retail footprint. This momentum underscores BYD’s ambition to become a leading force in Britain’s transition to electric mobility.
“The UK is a priority market for BYD,” said Steve Beattie, Deputy Country Manager, BYD UK. “Our goal is to make electric mobility accessible and affordable, while collaborating with trusted British institutions like Thatcham Research, whose decades of expertise in safety, security and repair set the benchmark for the industry.”
Throughout the agreement, Thatcham Research’s Vehicle Risk Rating (VRR) system will continue to play a key role, providing insurers with robust, independent data to support confident risk assessment and underwriting for BYD’s UK models.
