A big hidden cost of owning a Tesla, the cost of repairing a lightweight aluminum body

The Telsa's nearly all-aluminum frame and body panels make repair work on even a minor fender-bender difficult and very expensive.  From The Truth About Cars:

• $10,000 to repair a “minor but long” scratch

• $45,000 for “minor front-end damage”

• $7,000 for repair of a small dent and scratch that required no replacement of parts

• $30,000 for “minor fender and door damage”

• $11,000 for a minor scrape on the rear panel, including a $155 charge to “ensure battery remains charged” during the repair