A Canadian court has ruled against BMW for misleading the electric range of its 2014 i3 model, marking a potential turning point in how automakers disclose performance metrics for electric vehicles (EVs).
Legal Battle Started in 2017
The case, initiated by Ronen Kleiman, resulted in a compensation award of $5,000, but the implications extend far beyond this single judgment.
Kleiman’s legal battle began in 2017 when he sued BMW, alleging that the company had exaggerated the electric range of his BMW i3.
He initially sought $25,000 in damages, claiming that the car did not achieve the promised range, according to Motor.
BMW had previously offered a settlement of $10,000, which Kleiman rejected because of a non-disclosure clause, choosing instead to pursue the case publicly to highlight what he saw as deceptive practices.
Misrepresented Vehicle's Range
The Ontario Superior Court of Justice found that BMW had indeed misrepresented the vehicle’s range. However, the ruling also required Kleiman to reimburse BMW over $11,000 in legal fees because he had turned down the earlier settlement offer.
Despite proving BMW's wrongdoing, Kleiman ended up with a net loss, having spent an estimated $25,000 on legal costs.
BMW defended its claims by arguing that an EV’s range can vary based on driving conditions, weather, and the use of onboard features like air conditioning.
Although these factors are valid, the case highlighted that information provided to consumers may not always reflect real-world performance. Following the lawsuit, BMW adjusted the advertised range of the i3 on its website to reflect more realistic figures.
This ruling raises questions about whether this is an isolated incident or the start of broader scrutiny of EV manufacturers.
As electric cars gain popularity, this case may encourage more consumers to challenge automakers on discrepancies between advertised and actual performance, potentially reshaping the industry’s accountability standards.
