IN A a class-action lawsuit, Australian owners have accused Elon Musk’s Tesla of overstating its electric cars’ battery life and self-driving capabilities.
In a consumer action filed in the Federal Court, Tesla Motors Australia has been accused of selling Model 3 and Y cars manufactured by the US-based Tesla Inc based on hyped-up claims.
“Tesla made promises about their vehicles’ safety, performance and features such as their ‘full self-
driving’, but it appears some of these promises are falling flat,” said Rebecca Jancauskas, director of the firm behind the lawsuit, JGA Saddler.
The Model 3 and Y are the two most popular models of electric vehicles in Australia, together accounting for more than 40 per cent of all battery-only car sales nationwide 2024.
The class action focuses on three alleged problems, including “phantom braking” – or the tendency for cars to reportedly turn on emergency braking for no reason while in cruise control or autopilot modes.
“This dangerous phenomenon … would terrify you and your passengers and could, if it causes an accident, result in serious injury and/or death,” Ms Jancauskas said.
The firm is also accused of failing to deliver on promises to achieve cars’ advertised maximum range or achieving fully autonomous self-driving capability.
“Imagine your EV has never reached 75 per cent of its advertised battery range, or the promised self-
driving features, that you paid a premium of more than $5000 for, have never been delivered,” Ms Jancauskas said.
“For many Tesla drivers these issues are their daily reality.”
Despite knowing about these defects for years, Tesla had overstated its cars’ abilities and had failed to address the problems or pay compensation, Ms Jancauskas alleged.
Drivers who purchased or leased a Model 3 or Y equipped with Tesla Vision since May 2021 are eligible to join the class action.
Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
