Italian Authorities Probe Automakers Over EV Claims
Italy’s competition authority is looking into claims against BYD, Stellantis, Tesla, and Volkswagen. The investigation focuses on whether these automakers have misled customers about the capabilities of their electric vehicles.
The probe centers around potential “unfair commercial practices.” Specific areas of concern include information given about EV driving range, how battery capacity degrades over time, and the limits of standard battery warranties. These practices could violate consumer protection laws.
Under Italian law, businesses found to be in breach of consumer rights may face fines ranging from 5,000 to 10 million euros.
Stellantis has stated that it is fully cooperating and has provided all requested information. They are confident that the investigation will confirm that they have given adequate answers and are focused on customer satisfaction.
BYD and Volkswagen haven’t commented on the investigation. Tesla did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The authority claims that the automakers’ websites often offer general and sometimes inconsistent information regarding the driving ranges of their electric cars. These sites reportedly fail to clarify which factors might affect the maximum range advertised and to what extent.
Environmental conditions such as cold temperatures, the use of air conditioning, and the style of driving can significantly impact the driving range of an EV.
In addition, regulators claim that the websites do not provide clear or complete details regarding battery capacity decline resulting from typical vehicle usage, or the conditions and limitations of battery warranties.
To gather information, the authority, with assistance from Italy’s financial crimes police, conducted inspections at the Italian headquarters of the four automakers.
This probe highlights the importance of providing accurate and complete information to consumers about electric vehicle performance. Clear communication about factors that affect driving range and battery health is essential for informed purchasing decisions.
This story has been updated; the extraneous attribution in paragraph 9 has been removed.
