The Regional Court in Wuppertal has ruled on the return of an electric car whose range was significantly lower than the advertised WLTP figure. The buyer had purchased the vehicle for 39,000 euros, relying on a stated WLTP range of 332 to 341 kilometers. However, an expert determined the range to be only 282 kilometers under the WLTP procedure; the court therefore deemed this a significant defect. The dealer is required to take back the vehicle and pay 33,749.95 euros, plus interest and legal fees. However, the buyer must also accept a deduction for usage based on the kilometers driven.
When returning an electric car becomes an option
The ruling does not concern mere disappointment regarding everyday driving range. Instead, the decisive factor was a comparison conducted under standardized testing conditions. The expert used the WLTP procedure, as this was the only way to reliably verify the manufacturer’s stated figures.
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The discrepancy was around 18 percent. This exceeded the threshold courts use to define “significant excess consumption” in internal combustion engine vehicles. The regional court applied this same logic to electric cars, as driving range remains a key factor in purchasing decisions.
Battery degradation was greater than expected
The dealer attributed the issue to normal degradation of the traction battery. However, the court was not persuaded by this argument. According to the expert witness, the measured loss was inconsistent with the vehicle’s age and usage.
Based on the vehicle’s driving and charging profile, the court deemed a capacity loss of approximately 2.5 percent per year to be reasonable. Over three years, this would amount to roughly 7.5 percent. In reality, however, the discrepancy was around 18 percent; consequently, the battery’s condition could not be classified as normal degradation.
What buyers should document before a return
Simply providing photos of the range display is not enough to successfully return the vehicle. Buyers must first notify the dealer and demand a remedy. They should also secure the sales contract, brochure specifications, workshop reports, charging logs, and driving data.
A return is a viable option primarily if an expert assessment confirms the significant discrepancy. While cold weather, speed, heating, and air conditioning do reduce range in everyday use, an electric car should not fall drastically short of key manufacturer specifications under comparable testing conditions.
Author: Blackout News
Sources: Focus (23.06.26) – KFZ-Betrieb (22.0626) – Handelsblatt (18.06.26) – Landgericht Wuppertal (18.12.25)