Is poor electric range on my new Volkswagen Passat GTE grounds for rejection?

My company car just came up for replacement. As I largely do short trips, I decided to ditch diesel and got a Volkswagen Passat GTE last week. My commute is just over 10 miles each way, so I had hoped to be able to get to work and back again on a single charge (Volkswagen claim 31 miles). Despite turning off all unnecessary electrics (including the radio) and driving very gently in regenerative mode, the best I've achieved was 14 miles before the battery gave up. The car isn't really meeting the purpose for which it was bought. Am I likely to have any grounds for rejecting the car because of poor range?

Asked on 7 February 2017 by dfulton77

Answered by Honest John

If they say it will do 31 miles on electric power alone and it won't then that is grounds for rejection because 31 miles is an important figure. It qualifies PHEV minicabs for exemptions when entering the London Congestion Zone. Our experience of the Passat GTE was wholly positive. See: www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/volkswagen/volkswa.../ There might be something wrong with your individual car, with its battery pack, or with the type of home charger you are using.

Tags: legal and consumer advice consumer rights buying and selling commuting electric cars right to reject electric range

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