Tesla Hit with Class Action Lawsuit: Mileage Claims Under Scrutiny

Three California Tesla owners file a lawsuit against the automaker, accusing it of falsely advertising mileage ranges, sparking a debate over transparency and consumer rights.

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Electric vehicle owners have long faced the issue of approximate rather than exact mileage ranges. Three Tesla owners in California have decided to take action, filing a proposed class action lawsuit against the electric automaker, accusing Tesla of falsely advertising the estimated driving ranges of its electric vehicles.

Photo by Vlad Tchompalov on Unsplash

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, cites a Reuters article that revealed Tesla's creation of a "Diversion Team" in Nevada, aimed at canceling range-related appointments following a flood of complaints about short mileage. The suit also refers to algorithms written by Tesla a decade ago, predicting best-scenario estimates for mileage, a practice the plaintiffs claim violated the vehicles' warranties and amounted to both unfair competition and fraud.

The three plaintiffs, including California-based James Porter, owner of a Model Y, claim their complaints to the company went unanswered and that their Teslas didn't achieve anywhere near their advertised ranges. Porter stated that he "lost approximately 182 miles of range—despite only driving 92 miles."

The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and represents "all persons in California who purchased a new Tesla Model 3, Model S, Model Y, and Model X vehicle." Adam A. Edwards, an attorney representing the Tesla owners, emphasized that "Tesla has a duty to deliver a product that performs as advertised."

This lawsuit follows another proposed consumer class action filed in April and a $2.2 million fine by South Korean regulators for exaggerating the range of its vehicles in cold weather. Tesla has also faced scrutiny over its “Full Self-Driving Technology” and autopilot system safety issues.

Experts suggest that drivers should rely on battery indicators for more accurate mileage projections and offer tips such as maintaining a speed of 60 MPH, driving in Eco mode, accelerating smoothly, and choosing efficient routes.

The lawsuit against Tesla may serve as a turning point in the electric vehicle industry, potentially leading to more transparent advertising and improved consumer trust. It also raises critical questions about the responsibility of automakers to provide accurate information and the rights of consumers to seek justice when those expectations are not met.