What the ruling on the Taycan means for buyers and what rights exist in case of insufficient range
Is your Porsche Taycan not achieving its advertised range? The Osnabrück Regional Court is currently examining whether insufficient range in the Taycan constitutes a material defect. This article provides context for the ongoing proceedings and outlines the rights of buyers of premium electric vehicles.
What the proceedings at the Osnabrück Regional Court are about
The Osnabrück Regional Court is hearing a lawsuit from a buyer who claims that his Porsche Taycan does not achieve the advertised range. Specifically, the case concerns a Taycan 4 Cross Turismo, for which a WLTP range of 482 kilometers was stated.
By a preliminary ruling and order for the taking of evidence dated April 8, 2026, the court ordered an expert opinion (Case No. 5 O 1312/25). An expert is to examine whether the Taycan actually achieves the stated WLTP values. It is important to note that a preliminary ruling is not a judgment. However, it demonstrates that the court is taking the Taycan's range issue seriously and is having the facts clarified.
For Taycan owners, this is a relevant signal, even if the final decision is still pending.
Is your Taycan falling short of its advertised range? Have your case reviewed to see if it's comparable to the situation before the Osnabrück Regional Court.
The legal classification: Scope as a characteristic
The legal basis is the same as for other electric cars. According to § 434 of the German Civil Code (BGB), a vehicle must possess the characteristics that the buyer can expect based on public statements made by the manufacturer. The advertised WLTP range is such a statement and defines the required characteristics.
As a guide to the significance The Federal Court of Justice's jurisprudence on excess fuel consumption in combustion engine vehicles, according to which a deviation of more than ten percent is considered significant, serves as a guideline. The Wuppertal Regional Court has already extended this line of reasoning to the range of electric cars. We explain the principles involved on our page about the rescission of an electric car purchase due to insufficient range.
The decisive factor is the comparison under WLTP conditions, not a single everyday drive. This is precisely what the court in the Taycan case is having an expert examine.
Whether your deviation reaches the threshold depends on the individual case. We will assess your Taycan case according to the correct criteria.
Special features of a premium electric car
The Taycan is a high-priced vehicle. This affects the economic significance of a defect, as the purchase price and potential refund amount are correspondingly high. The compensation for usage, which is deducted for mileage driven in the event of a cancellation of the contract, is also higher for an expensive vehicle.
Especially with premium models, a long range is advertised as a key performance feature. If the vehicle falls significantly short of this, it undermines a core part of the purchase promise. This can support the assessment of the seriousness of a defect.
Do you drive a Taycan or another premium electric car? We'll check which option makes the most economic sense for you.
Your rights in case of insufficient reach
If a significant defect is confirmed, you are entitled to the tiered warranty rights under § 437 BGB.
- Subsequent fulfillment: You can demand rectification or replacement.
- Resignation: You return the vehicle and receive the purchase price minus a usage fee.
- Reduction: They keep the vehicle and demand a partial refund of the purchase price.
- Damages: Additional costs, such as for an expert opinion, can be claimed as reimbursement.
When a consumer buys a car from a dealer, it is presumed for the first year after delivery that any defect shown was already present at the time of delivery (§ 477 BGB). Claims for defects in a new car generally expire two years after delivery.
The best course of action for you depends on the individual case. We will assess your requirements and categorize the available options.
What Taycan drivers should do now
Even though the decision in the Osnabrück proceedings is still pending, you should secure your own position early.
- Document reach: Record how far you can go under different conditions over several charging cycles.
- Secure manufacturer's specifications: Keep the configurator, brochure and purchase contract with the advertised WLTP value.
- Please observe the deadlines: Have your claims reviewed before the two-year statute of limitations expires.
Rogert & Ulbrich has extensive experience in enforcing claims against manufacturers, gained from numerous vehicle-related legal proceedings. emissions scandal familiar and can be applied to range issues with electric cars.
Do not sign any waiver before your case has been reviewed. The sooner your Taycan is reviewed, the more options you will have.
Rogert & Ulbrich – Your lawyers specializing in electric vehicle defect law
Rogert & Ulbrich represents consumers nationwide in vehicle defect law and has its own Automotive sector as well as a bundled page on Tesla defects. The law firm of Dr. Marco Rogert and Tobias Ulbrich has represented a large number of consumers and conducted vehicle-related litigation against manufacturers for many years in the emissions scandal. This experience in enforcement is now benefiting buyers of electric cars.
We will review your Taycan case, assess the legal implications of the range discrepancy, and quantify your claims. We will negotiate out of court with the dealer and manufacturer. If no satisfactory solution can be reached, we will enforce your rights in court.
Is your Porsche Taycan falling short of its promised range? Get in touch and secure your rights.
