Italy accuses four EV makers of deceiving customers

The Italian antitrust authority is investigating BYD, Stellantis, Tesla and Volkswagen on suspicion of misleading consumers about the performance of their electric cars. Under Italian law, violations of consumer protection regulations can result in high fines.

The four investigations into possible unfair commercial practices concern “EV driving range, battery capacity degradation and limitations on standard battery warranties, potentially in breach of the Consumer Code,” the authority said. In Italy, it is customary in such cases for the antitrust authority, together with the Guardia di Finanza financial police, to search the Italian headquarters of the companies concerned. They apparently did so on Thursday, i.e. before the announcement was published.

The allegations are more about how the car manufacturers inform customers about the above-mentioned aspects. The websites are said to provide “generic and sometimes contradictory information” on driving ranges. However, they do not explain how the driving range will change depending on different factors – or what those factors are.

However, it is known that the real range deviates from the test bench values determined in the WLTP. Standardised tests, such as the WLTP or, in the past, the NEDC, make it easier to compare different models, as the actual consumption depends on the respective driving profile and environmental conditions.

The regulator also claimed that there is no clear and complete information for consumers on the carmakers’ websites about the degradation of battery capacity due to normal vehicle use and the conditions or limitations of the battery warranty. But again, the definition of ‘normal use’ is rather vague. Customers who charge their electric car exclusively with alternating current will experience different battery ageing than if they frequently use fast chargers. But even with gentle charging behaviour, battery ageing can be worsened if the car is kept at a high charge level too frequently and for too long.

BYD and Volkswagen did not want to comment on the search and allegations when asked by Reuters. Tesla Italy could not be reached for comment. Only Stellantis, with its Italian brands such as Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Lancia, has commented on the events and emphasised that it is cooperating with the authorities. “Stellantis… is convinced that it has provided adequate, precise and exhaustive answers to the questions posed by the officials,” the manufacturer said in a statement to Reuters.

reuters.com