A German court has established a legal precedent permitting electric vehicle owners to return their cars to dealerships if the real-world driving range differs significantly from the advertised WLTP figures, according to local media reports. The ruling addresses the gap between laboratory testing and actual road performance.
Why the ruling allows EV returns
The court determined that a substantial discrepancy between a vehicle’s promised autonomy and its actual performance justifies the return of the car to the dealer. This precedent suggests that manufacturers and sellers may be held liable if advertised range figures are deemed misleading to the consumer, effectively treating a significant range shortfall as a breach of the purchase agreement.
How the WLTP standard affects range claims
The Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) is the standardized laboratory test used across the industry to determine the range of electric vehicles. While the WLTP was designed to be more rigorous than previous testing cycles, real-world variables—including ambient temperature, driving speed, and terrain—often result in a lower actual range than the official figure.
Economic implications for dealers and manufacturers
This legal shift increases the financial risk for automotive companies and their retail partners. To avoid the cost of vehicle returns and potential litigation, manufacturers may be forced to adopt more conservative range estimates in their marketing materials. For dealerships, the ruling creates a potential for increased inventory reversals if customers successfully argue that the vehicle’s autonomy does not meet the advertised specifications.
