The investigations focus on the information provided to consumers regarding EV driving range, battery capacity degradation and limitations on standard battery warranties.

The Italian Competition Authority has launched four investigations into BYD Industria Italia s.r.l., Stellantis Europe S.p.A., Tesla Italy s.r.l. and Volkswagen Group Italia S.p.A. over suspected unfair commercial practices. The investigations look into the information provided to consumers on EV driving range, battery capacity degradation and limitations on standard battery warranties, potentially in breach of the Consumer Code.

In particular, the companies’ websites appear to have displayed generic – and at times contradictory – information regarding the driving range of their marketed electric vehicles, without clarifying which factors impact the advertised maximum range and the extent to which they affect the actual range.

Moreover, it seems that the companies’ websites failed to provide consumers with clear and complete information on battery capacity degradation resulting from normal vehicle use, and on the terms/limitations applied to the standard battery warranty.

An inspection at the premises of the companies BYD Industria Italia s.r.l., Stellantis Europe S.p.A., Tesla Italy s.r.l. and Volkswagen Group Italia S.p.A. was carried out yesterday by the Authority’s officials, assisted by the Special Antitrust Unit of the Italian Financial Police (Guardia di Finanza).

Rome, 21 February 2025