Italy’s competition authority has closed investigations into BYD, Stellantis, Tesla and Volkswagen over alleged misleading claims about electric vehicle performance, after the companies agreed to revise how they communicate key information to consumers.
The probe, launched in February by Italy’s competition watchdog AGCM, examined whether the automakers engaged in unfair commercial practices in the way they presented information on EV driving range, battery capacity degradation and limitations contained in battery warranty terms.
According to the authority, the companies’ websites had provided “generic and sometimes contradictory information” about vehicle range, without sufficiently explaining the factors — such as driving style, temperature and use of auxiliary systems — that can significantly reduce the advertised maximum range.
The AGCM said the proceedings were dropped after the four manufacturers committed to improving transparency. As part of the settlement, the companies will update their websites to present clearer and more consistent information, introduce a simulation tool allowing consumers to compare vehicle ranges within the same market segment, and rewrite battery warranty conditions to make the effects of battery ageing easier to understand.
The AGCM, formally known as the Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato, oversees antitrust enforcement and consumer protection in Italy. According to Reuters, violations of Italian consumer protection rules can carry fines ranging from €5,000 to €10 million, depending on the severity of the infringement.