Tesla Odometergate: is it Tesla's own Dieselgate or nothing burger?
The world of electric vehicles has been abuzz with the latest controversy surrounding Tesla, as a class-action lawsuit alleges that the automaker is inflating mileage on its odometers using "predictive algorithms." The lawsuit, filed in California, claims that Tesla uses these algorithms to manipulate and misrepresent the actual mileage traveled by its vehicles, leading to faster depreciation of vehicle values and expiration of warranties. But is this just another case of Dieselgate, or is it a nothing burger?
The allegations are similar to those made against Volkswagen during the Dieselgate scandal, where the company was found to have installed software in its diesel engines that cheated on emissions tests. Tesla's use of predictive algorithms raises concerns about whether the company is engaging in similar deceptive practices.
A New Class-Action Lawsuit
The lawsuit, filed by lead plaintiff Nyree Hinton, a data professional from Los Angeles, alleges that Tesla uses "predictive algorithms" to inflate mileage at the odometers. This allows Tesla to claim higher mileage past warranty limits, accelerating the rate of depreciation and increasing the purchase of its extended warranty policy.
According to Hinton, he purchased a used 2020 Tesla Model Y with 36,772 miles on the odometer. He received Tesla's Basic Vehicle Limited Warranty, which covers repairs for four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. However, shortly after purchasing the vehicle, Hinton noticed that his mileage increased at an unexpected rate, leading to a $10,000 suspension repair bill.
A Data Professional's Experience
Hinton shared his own experience as the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit. He closely tracked his own mileage and found that the odometer indicated an average of over 72 miles per day despite driving only approximately 20 miles per day. This rapid mileage accumulation led to the warranty expiring sooner than anticipated, resulting in Hinton incurring a significant repair bill.
Is Tesla Hiding Something?
The lawsuit is light on data, but it does cite other Tesla owners claiming to have similar experiences on forums and social media. Electrek reached out to Green, a well-known Tesla hacker who frequently discovers new features and specifications in Tesla's software and firmware.
Green believes that it is likely that Tesla uses predictive algorithms for its odometer, but he thinks it could be as simple as accounting for tire wear, since tire rotation is used to calculate odometer mileage. He doubts that Tesla would have been able to hide something like this from him and the broader whitehat hacking community, but admits they weren't looking for it.
A Skeptical View
We remain in the skeptical camp on this one. While Hinton's experience is compelling, it could be a specific problem with his vehicle rather than a broader issue and active deception from Tesla. If the lawsuit is allowed to proceed, we may gain more insight and encourage others with similar experiences to join in – resulting in more data.
In the meantime, we'll remain cautious and wait for more evidence before making any conclusions. The controversy surrounding Tesla's odometer practices highlights the need for transparency and accountability in the automotive industry.