Summary
- Man sues BMW after being unable to get 120 miles of range in BMW i3
- Examples from forum posts show achieving advertised range of 124 miles was challenging
- User marfuh drove economically to reach 212 km, but most struggled with range
- BMW reduced advertised range on website after customer complaints
- After long legal battle, customer won $5,000 in damages but had to pay $11,140 in attorney fees
Article
The Canadian man who initially sued BMW for failing to meet the advertised range of his BMW i3 ultimately ended up losing the decade-long legal battle despite winning some compensation. The man, known as Ronen Kleiman, had leased the electric vehicle in 2014 with the expectation of a certain range that was not met during his ownership. He took the automaker to court, claiming misrepresentation in their marketing materials regarding the vehicle’s range capabilities. After a nonjury trial, the judge ruled in favor of Kleiman, awarding him $5,000 in damages but also requiring him to reimburse BMW $11,140 for attorney fees and litigation expenses, as he had rejected a pretrial settlement offer.
Kleiman’s case gained attention due to the discrepancy between the advertised range of the BMW i3 and the actual range achieved by owners in real-world conditions. Many owners reported not reaching the stated range, leading to frustration and legal action against the automaker. Forum posts from 2014 revealed that achieving the maximum range of 124 miles was extremely challenging, even under optimal driving conditions. Owners struggled to come close to the advertised range, with some reporting significantly lower mileage on a single charge than what was promised by BMW.
The response from BMW to the allegations of misrepresentation in their marketing materials was that the range of electric vehicles can be affected by various factors such as driver behavior, external environment, and use of onboard features. The automaker suggested that achieving the advertised range might require specific driving conditions that may not be typical for all drivers. Despite the legal battle and the judge’s ruling in favor of Kleiman, the case highlighted the complexities of estimating electric vehicle range and the challenges faced by manufacturers in meeting consumers’ expectations.
As an owner of a BMW i3 and an engineer, the author of the piece expressed understanding for both parties involved in the dispute. While acknowledging the need for accuracy in marketing materials, the author also emphasized the importance of consumers understanding the variability in range based on driving conditions. The recommendation was made for automakers to provide range estimates based on official testing standards to avoid potential legal issues and ensure transparency with customers. Additionally, the author suggested that BMW could have handled the situation better by offering alternative solutions to address the customer’s concerns, such as replacing the vehicle or upgrading the battery.
The conclusion drawn from the case of Ronen Kleiman’s legal battle with BMW over the range of his BMW i3 highlighted the importance of clear and accurate marketing of electric vehicles. The episode underscored the challenges faced by consumers in achieving advertised range figures and the responsibility of manufacturers to provide realistic expectations. While Kleiman did not achieve the full compensation he sought, the case served as a cautionary tale for automakers to be transparent in their marketing and communication regarding electric vehicle capabilities. Ultimately, the dispute between the Canadian man and BMW over the range of the BMW i3 exemplified the complexities and uncertainties in the electric vehicle market and the need for clarity and honesty in addressing consumer expectations.
Read the full article here
