Battery fires, electrical problems, software issues or any other defects have the ability to make your electric or hybrid vehicle unsafe to drive. With an increasing number of electric and hybrid vehicles being sold in California, an increasing number of these vehicles may appear with significant manufacturing defects.
Last year, 18.8% of all new cars sold in California were zero-emissions vehicles. On top of that, California is requiring all NEW cars sold in 2035 or later to be zero-emission vehicles, which includes battery electric, plug-in hybrid electric and fuel cell electric vehicles.
These electric vehicles may not have identical systems or problems to gasoline and diesel powered vehicles. According to an Axios analysis of industry data, electric vehicles are more likely to be recalled than traditional gas cars. That’s right, these vehicles are still at risk of being lemons, and their owners or lessees can still file lemon law claims in California.
For an electric or hybrid vehicle to be considered a lemon, it has to have a manufacturing defect that substantially impairs its use, value or safety, first appears during the warranty period and cannot be fixed within a reasonable number of repair attempts.
The manufacturer warranties on electric or hybrid vehicles may be different from those of traditional gasoline or diesel vehicles. Electric car warranties have similar bumper-to-bumper coverage and coverage of other, similar components. However, electric vehicles will have additional, longer warranties over the vehicle batteries.
If you are experiencing recurring problems with your electric or hybrid vehicle, keep records of your repair visits and any communication you’ve had with the auto manufacturer. The latter could include emails, mailed correspondence, and notes you took during phone calls. Keep a copy of your warranty, as this will only help you with a lemon law claim.
Our lemon law tips apply just as much to electric vehicles as it does to traditional cars. Learn what evidence you may need to gather, how many repair attempts you may need, and the advantages of hiring a lemon law attorney.
If you’re not sure whether your electric vehicle is a lemon, consult a lemon law attorney to discuss the specifics of your situation. Our initial consultations are free. Should you decide to proceed with a lemon law claim, hiring our attorneys will cost you nothing out of pocket. Call today at 877-217-7676.
Lemon Law Help by Knight Law Group is an automotive lemon law firm that exclusively practices in California. If you are a California resident who purchased or leased a defective vehicle from a licensed dealership in California, we may be able to help you get rid of your potential lemon and recover significant cash compensation. Model year restrictions apply: 2020–Present vehicle models only.
However, we cannot help those who reside outside of California or purchased their vehicle outside of California unless they are active duty members of the Armed Forces, nor will we be able to refer those to a lemon law firm in their states.
To learn more about the California Lemon Law and your legal rights, visit our guide on the California Lemon Law for more information.
