Norway has ordered Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) to pay 136,000 kroner ($16,000) each to thousands of customers in the country for issuing a software update that slowed down charging speeds, according to the local online newspaper Nettavisen.
In 2019, the U.S. electric carmaker launched a software update for Tesla Model S cars produced between 2013 and 2015, resulting in dozens of complaints among Tesla owners in Norway. More specifically, the owners of these vehicles were reported to have reduced range and slower charging speeds at Tesla’s Supercharger network.
The automaker is now ordered to pay about $16,000 to each customer to resolve the case. According to Nettavisen, around 10,000 Model S vehicles have been sold during that period, which would result in a hefty fine for Tesla.
The order was issued on May 17th and Tesla was instructed to pay the fine until May 30th. Else, the carmaker can file an appeal with the Oslo council.
But this is not the first time Tesla customers have reported this kind of issue. The carmaker is also facing similar complaints in the United States where consumers have filed a class-action lawsuit against the carmaker for affecting charging speeds in older Tesla cars. The lawsuit alleges that Tesla has reduced range among older vehicles by as much as 40 miles, in some cases.
Despite this news, shares of Tesla are up 3% on the day to trade around the $600.00 mark again.