Electric vehicle range falls short of claims

A driver who switched from internal combustion to electric vehicles in December 2025 chose a Citroën ë-C3 Aircross, which was advertised with a battery capacity of 44.2 kWh and a range of up to 309 kilometers on mixed driving cycles. However, the driver reported that the actual range was significantly lower than what was promised.

Discrepancy between advertised and actual battery capacity

According to a diagnostic report obtained by the driver in February 2026, the vehicle's battery capacity was 38.1 kWh gross and 32.2 kWh net, far below the 44.2 kWh gross and 43.8 kWh net stated by the manufacturer. This discrepancy amounts to a 14% reduction in gross capacity and over 25% in net capacity.

Battery degradation and performance issues

The diagnostic report also revealed that the battery had already degraded by 5.7% after only 1,500 kilometers. This is much faster than the average degradation rate observed in electric vehicles with high mileage, which typically lose about 9% of range after 240,000 kilometers. Additionally, the vehicle experiences electronic malfunctions, difficulty starting, and high energy losses during charging.

Manufacturer remains unresponsive

Despite the driver's repeated requests for clarification, neither Citroën nor its parent company, Stellantis, has provided a response. The driver has had to adjust his travel plans due to the vehicle's limitations, and the defect may also affect the car's resale value.

Legal and warranty options available

The driver has not yet pursued legal action, but he can rely on the 8-year or 160,000-kilometer warranty for Citroën electric vehicles. A similar case in January saw a Peugeot dealer ordered to fully refund a customer whose vehicle had a significantly lower range than advertised, which could serve as a precedent in this situation.