The Righteous EV Owners Who Won't Let Their Broken Cars Die
16 hours ago
- #right-to-repair
- #electric-vehicles
- #consumer-rights
- Svein Hodne, a gardener in Norway, experienced a terrifying incident where his Fisker Ocean electric car malfunctioned, leaving him locked inside with no power or means of escape.
- The Fisker Owners Association (FOA) emerged as a grassroots movement to support Fisker Ocean owners after the company declared bankruptcy, providing resources, parts, and technical assistance.
- Owners faced numerous issues with the Fisker Ocean, including software glitches, faulty parts, and lack of support, leading to a community-driven effort to maintain and repair the vehicles.
- The FOA negotiated with American Lease, the company that acquired Fisker's assets, to secure access to parts and software, but tensions arose over costs and cloud access.
- Volunteers within the FOA reverse-engineered the Fisker Ocean's software and sourced parts globally, demonstrating remarkable ingenuity and dedication.
- The FOA's efforts highlight broader 'right to repair' issues, as consumers struggle against manufacturers who restrict access to repair tools and software.
- Despite challenges, the FOA continues to fight for ownership of Fisker's intellectual property to ensure long-term viability for Ocean owners.
- The story underscores the growing movement for consumer rights in the face of proprietary technology and corporate control over repairs and software updates.