A Mühlviertler can travel just 110 to 120 kilometers with his electrically powered VW. When it was bought, it had been promised a range of 230 kilometers. The disappointed car owner now wants to return the e-Golf and get his money back. He therefore complained. Now the judge in Linz decides.
“When the e-Golf was sold, the range was given as 230 kilometers, without this being explained in more detail,” says Linz attorney Michael Poduschka. The big but was learned in the civil trial on Friday in Linz. Both the managing director of the car dealership and an expert appointed by the judge stated that under certain conditions, for example on the motorway or in the hilly Mühlviertel and with single-digit outside temperatures, it is only possible to travel 110 to 120 kilometers.
After 70 kilometers the heating goes down
This value also includes the last 50 kilometers on which the eco mode is activated. Then, for example, the interior heating is shut down. “This leaves only 60 to 70 kilometers with full serviceability”, says Poduschka.
Owner wants money back
Interesting: According to an expert, this is not a defect in an electrically operated VW purchased in 2018. Today all e-cars would be much better at maintaining range than three years ago. Now the court has to decide. Lawyer Poduschka. “From our point of view, there is an error caused by the seller that entitles the contract to be terminated.” If the court agrees, the car owner could return the car and get the purchase price back including interest. A user fee would be deducted for the 10,000 kilometers driven.