Renault UK End EV Battery Lease Agreement

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Youtuber Gary C EV Repairs has highlighted an anti-consumer issue where Renault UK consumers who have leased their EV battery from Renault are systematically unable to end the lease early when it would be reasonable to do so, such as a car being totalled/scrapped, or otherwise no longer required.

Renault UK quote high fees to remove the battery from the vehicle and ship it internationally at the consumer's expense which are not stated in the lease contract, and dealerships are unwilling or unaware of the process defined by the leasing company for consumers to return their leased EV battery to the company.

Please see the following three videos related to this ongoing story:

• PART 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cJ-alAFwAc
• PART 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dC_cyhyjAwc
• PART 3 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-NqySz258I

ChatGPT Summary of Battery Lease Issues with Renault Electric Vehicles

Overview

The video series discusses the complications and legal challenges associated with battery leases in electric vehicles, focusing on older models like the Renault Zoe (up to 2019) and the Nissan Leaf (with the short-lived "Flex" battery lease option). The speaker highlights the issues encountered when attempting to terminate these battery lease agreements, including difficulties with the process, excessive fees, contractual disputes, and broader systemic issues.

Key Points

• Battery Lease Background:

• • New electric cars no longer come with battery leases.
  • Battery leases were primarily available on Renault Zoe models (up to 2019) and early Nissan Leaf models.
  • Renault's battery lease was managed by RCI Bank, now known as Mobilize.

• Battery Lease Terms:
  • Lease agreements require a minimum term (usually 1–3 years).
  • After the minimum term, the lease can be terminated with one month’s written notice.
  • The agreement mentions responsibility for battery removal and restocking fees but lacks clear details about additional costs.

• Challenges with Lease Termination:

• • Process Issues: The speaker faces difficulties even initiating the return process, as local Renault dealerships are unaware of the procedure, and Mobilize relies on these third parties without clear contractual obligations.
  • Excessive Fees: If the process progresses, removal costs are estimated around £450, with additional transport costs to France pushing the total to approximately £1,400.
  • Legal Concerns: The speaker argues that these transport fees are not explicitly mentioned in the lease agreement and are therefore unreasonable.

• Legal Action Initiated:

• • A "Letter Before Action" has been sent to Renault, citing failure to fulfil contractual obligations, effectively trapping the speaker in a contract without a viable exit.
  • The speaker plans to pursue a "small claims court" case, seeking the battery’s buyout cost (£253.20) as a legal strategy to terminate the lease.
  • Frustration of Contract: The speaker references the legal concept of "frustration of contract," where a party cannot fulfil their contractual obligations due to circumstances beyond their control.

• Wider Consumer Impact:

• • The speaker has created a Google Form to collect data from others affected by battery lease issues, aiming to identify patterns of unfair practices.
  • Reports from viewers reveal widespread problems, including:
  • Inability to return leased batteries due to dealership incompetence or indifference.
  • Cases of insurance write-offs where battery leases remain active, as insurers failed to settle the lease.
  • Consumers paying excessive fees to terminate leases or being forced to buy out batteries at inflated prices.

• Potential Class Action:

• • If a significant number of affected consumers come forward, the speaker suggests exploring broader legal action, possibly a class action lawsuit, to challenge Mobilize and Renault's practices.

• Options for Ending the Lease:

• • Buying out the battery: Costs around £2,000, despite the market value being significantly lower (~£500).
  • Paying removal and transport fees: Approximately £1,400, viewed as excessive and potentially unenforceable.
  • Legal action: Using small claims court to dispute fees and force lease termination.

• Additional Issues:

• • Resale Complications: Difficulty transferring leases during car sales due to complex paperwork and delays from the finance company.
  • Insurance Write-offs: Cases where vehicles declared as write-offs still carry active battery leases, as insurance companies fail to settle outstanding agreements properly.
  • Potential Credit Risks: Cancelling direct debits to end payments could harm credit ratings, even if legally justified.
  • Remote Disabling: Renault reserves the right to disable the vehicle’s charging capability via telematics if lease payments are missed, provided the telematics system is functional.

Conclusion

The video series serves as a cautionary tale for anyone dealing with battery lease agreements on older electric vehicles. It highlights hidden costs, legal grey areas, and potential financial risks. The speaker calls for collective action, encouraging affected consumers to share their experiences to build a case against potentially unfair business practices by Mobilize and Renault.