At BNG Legal Group we’re seeing a shift: as electric vehicles become more common on California roads, so too are the legal claims when those vehicles turn out to be lemons. What was once a niche issue is now a rising trend and it’s important for EV buyers to be aware.
The EV Boom + Hidden Risks
Electric vehicles are growing fast. For example, in the U.S., plug‑in electric car sales reached over 1.4 million units in 2023, making up around 9.1 % of new car sales. Wikipedia+1 California in particular has seen major adoption: in 2022 and 2023 plug‑in cars accounted for about 16.4 % and 21.4 % of new car registrations respectively. Wikipedia
With more EVs on the road, the number of potential defective vehicles increases and the more advanced the technology (battery systems, software, charging hardware), the greater the complexity and the greater the chance of defect or repeated repair.
Why EVs Are Triggering More Lemon Law Issues
Some of the contributing factors include:
- More complex systems: EVs have batteries, power electronics, software updates, and new hardware. When any of these fail repeatedly, you may qualify for a lemon claim.
- Parts and service lag: Because EV technology is fairly new, repair parts and certified technicians may be slower to arrive meaning your vehicle spends more time in the shop.
- Recurring “nuisance” defects: It’s not always a major breakdown but issues like reduced battery range, inconsistent charging, software glitches, or unexpected power losses can matter under lemon law. For example, EVs reportedly show 79 % more issues compared to conventional vehicles in certain studies.
- More claims being filed: In California, lemon law filings climbed from nearly 15,000 in 2022 to more than 22,000 in 2023 a 52 % increase. CalMatters
What This Means for You
If you’ve purchased an EV and you’re experiencing repeated problems, downtime, or defects that impair safety, value or use, you could have a viable lemon law claim. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Keep detailed records of each repair attempt: date, issue, how long the vehicle was out of service.
- Look for patterns of failure rather than single isolated incidents especially when EVs are involved.
- Don’t assume just because it’s “electronic” or “software” related it can’t qualify; many lemon laws now recognize these defects.
- Contact a lemon law attorney early so you understand your rights and the deadlines in your state.
Why BNG Legal Group Is Ready for EV Lemon Claims
At BNG Legal Group we handle both traditional vehicle lemon law claims and modern EV issues. We understand that the transition in automobile technology doesn’t leave the consumer less protected, it simply means you need a lawyer who understands the new risk landscape. We help you fight for a buy‑back, replacement, or monetary compensation depending on your case.
Final Word
Electric vehicles are reshaping the auto industry—and that includes the legal risks. If your EV isn’t performing the way it was promised, don’t wait. The longer you delay, the harder it can be to build a strong lemon law case.
Contact us today for a free consultation: 818‑810‑5466 or visit www.bnglegalgroup.com.
Your car may be the future but you still deserve reliability, performance, and legal protection when things go wrong.