Ford and General Motors (GM) are currently facing significant legal challenges due to allegations that they made broken promises regarding the electric vehicle (EV) range of their products. These lawsuits claim that both automakers sold EVs that do not deliver the advertised driving range, leading to consumer dissatisfaction, financial loss, and safety concerns.
Starting with GM, the company is embroiled in a class action lawsuit related to its Chevrolet Bolt EV and Bolt EUV models. Owners of these vehicles have accused GM and its battery supplier LG Electronics of selling cars equipped with defective lithium-ion batteries. These batteries allegedly suffer from manufacturing and design defects that not only reduce the vehicles’ driving range over time but also pose a fire risk. Plaintiffs argue that GM was aware of these battery issues but failed to disclose them, causing customers to pay premium prices for vehicles that did not meet their expectations. The lawsuit highlights problems such as reduced battery capacity, inability to fully charge, and restrictions on parking indoors due to fire hazards. These issues have led to “range anxiety,” depreciation of the vehicles, and a loss of trust in GM’s EV promises.
On the Ford side, while the lawsuits are not as prominently focused on EV battery defects as GM’s, Ford has faced legal scrutiny over other vehicle performance issues, including excessive oil consumption in certain F-150 pickup trucks. However, with Ford’s increasing push into the EV market, concerns about whether their electric vehicles meet advertised range claims have also surfaced, though specific lawsuits about EV range are less documented compared to GM’s Bolt case.
The core of these legal battles revolves around the gap between what automakers promised in terms of EV range and what consumers actually experience. EV range is a critical factor for buyers because it directly affects the usability and convenience of the vehicle. When the actual range falls short, it can cause significant inconvenience, increased charging frequency, and anxiety about running out of power. This discrepancy can be due to battery defects, software limitations, or overly optimistic marketing claims.
The GM Bolt case is particularly notable because it involves safety risks alongside range issues. The defective batteries have led to recalls and advisories instructing owners to limit charging to 90% and avoid parking indoors, which is a major inconvenience and a sign of serious underlying problems. The lawsuit alleges that GM’s failure to disclose these defects upfront was a breach of consumer trust and possibly violated consumer protection laws.
These lawsuits could have broad implications for the EV industry. They highlight the challenges automakers face in delivering reliable, saf
