Italian Authorities Accuse BYD, Tesla, and Other EV Manufacturers of Misleading Advertising

The Italian Competition Authority (Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato – AGCM) has launched an investigation into BYD, Tesla, Stellantis, and Volkswagen, accusing them of unfair commercial practices. According to regulators, these automakers have been misleading consumers through advertisements that provide contradictory and incomplete information regarding the performance, range, and warranty conditions of their electric vehicles. If the allegations hold, the companies could face substantial fines.

The AGCM is conducting separate investigations into each manufacturer, as they are suspected of violating Italy’s Consumer Code. The primary concern revolves around generalized and often misleading data presented on company websites regarding EV driving range, without clear explanations on which factors influence real-world autonomy and to what extent.

Key Findings of the Investigation:
✔️ Inaccurate and incomplete range data – Advertised figures fail to account for real-world driving conditions and external factors affecting range
✔️ Opaque warranty terms – Manufacturers provide insufficient information on battery degradation over time and the exact limitations of their warranties

The probe has also drawn the attention of Italy’s financial police, Guardia di Finanza, whose officers visited the Italian headquarters of the accused automakers in late February to conduct inspections.

So far, the Italian divisions of BYD, Tesla, Volkswagen, and Stellantis have not officially responded to the allegations. However, this case could set a precedent for stricter oversight across Europe, as regulators in other countries may follow Italy’s lead in scrutinizing EV marketing claims more rigorously.

⚡ Are automakers truly deceiving consumers, or is this part of Europe’s tightening regulatory grip on the EV industry? The debate continues.