Electric vehicles are still unable to meet users’ expectations due to reasons such as range and charging station insufficiency. According to Reuters, Tesla is providing misleading information regarding maximum range to its customers.
Tesla accused of lying to customers about maximum range
According to leaked information, this practice started approximately a decade ago for advertising purposes and was led by Tesla CEO Elon Musk. It is claimed that Tesla developed an algorithm that provided unrealistic range estimates when the vehicle battery was fully charged.
Another controversial issue is Tesla’s attempts to silence individuals who complain about this matter. It is unknown whether Tesla still uses algorithms, but third-party test experts have recently claimed that cars do not meet the advertised ranges.
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Analysts speculate that the range issue stems from not considering environmental conditions. Temperature has a significant impact on electric vehicle batteries. Additionally, factors such as prolonged high-speed driving, steep inclines, and headwinds also contribute to reducing the range.
Tesla previously encountered issues with regulatory authorities in the United States and South Korea regarding this matter. Range estimates required to be displayed on electric vehicles sold in the United States are typically directly disclosed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Tesla opposes this requirement and presents the test results conducted within the company.
Since 2020, the EPA has demanded that the company revise its figures by approximately three percent. In January, the Korea Fair Trade Commission fined Tesla $2.2 million for not informing customers about the effects of low temperatures on batteries.
The inconsistency between the advertised ranges and the ranges experienced by many drivers in real life has been a subject of complaint for thousands of customers. Rumor has it that Tesla established a separate unit at its office in Las Vegas to cover up battery and range complaints.
A 2021 report published by Edmunds revealed that most Tesla models missed the EPA range estimates even when considering the so-called 15-mile “safety buffer.” It should be noted that other manufacturers’ models provided estimates closer to EPA predictions.
Despite the controversy, Tesla vehicles continue to benefit from strong sales. Recent price reductions in China and positive performance helped the Model Y become the top-selling electric vehicle globally in the first quarter of this year.
