Buying a luxury electric car for a price comparable to an apartment in central Madrid can turn into a real nightmare. The owner of a Rolls-Royce Spectre Black Badge from Texas faced a situation where, just four months after receiving her long-awaited car, it became nothing more than a useless showpiece. The battery, the pride of modern electric vehicles, failed suddenly and irreparably, and the dealership simply shrugged. As a result, the elite car, worth $546,385 (about €462,700), has been sitting in the service center for four months, while the owner is forced to fight for her rights in court.
The case with the Rolls-Royce Spectre Black Badge is not unique on the high-end electric vehicle market. In recent years, premium car manufacturers have increasingly faced criticism for unreliability and costly repairs. One would expect that for such money, buyers get not only comfort but also peace of mind. However, reality is far less glamorous: even the most renowned brands are not immune to technical failures, and owners often find themselves in protracted disputes with automotive giants.
A luxury gone wrong
The story began when Marci M. Donovitz purchased a custom-built Rolls-Royce Spectre Black Badge at the start of 2025. By October, just four months after receiving the car, she was confronted with a sudden and serious battery failure. The car refused to start, and appeals for help to the official Avondale Dealership led only to endless waiting. Replacement parts were promised, but no deadlines were set, and the car remained stuck in the service center.
The owner refused to accept the situation and turned to lawyers, demanding either a refund or a replacement vehicle of the same kind. Rolls-Royce declined to cooperate, and the dealership remained silent. As a result, after 40 days without any progress, Donovitz filed a lawsuit against Rolls-Royce Motor Cars North America and the dealer, accusing them of selling a car with a critical battery defect that made the vehicle unsafe and unfit for use.
Service without service
While the lawyers try to resolve the issue, the car continues to gather dust at the service center, and its value keeps dropping. Donovitz claims that neither the manufacturer nor the dealer offered a reasonable solution and instead concealed information about the battery reliability issues in this model. She also believes that Rolls-Royce was aware of such failures but chose not to inform customers to protect its brand image.
The Rolls-Royce Spectre Black Badge scandal is just the tip of the iceberg. Consider how electric vehicles have already become mainstream in China, and record Geely EX2 sales have shown that even budget models can be more reliable and affordable than Western premium brands. This is confirmed by analytics on the explosive growth of electric car sales in China, where the mass market is already setting its own standards for quality and service.
The price of disappointment
While Rolls-Royce remains silent, Donovitz is demanding compensation for the loss of use of his car, its depreciation, and legal expenses. The situation clearly shows that even half a million euros can’t buy peace of mind. Owners of luxury electric vehicles are increasingly discovering that extravagance can turn into a headache, while service is mired in endless bureaucracy.
Battery problems in expensive electric vehicles are becoming more noticeable amid the mass shift to electric mobility. As some manufacturers promise revolutionary technologies and record-breaking range, others can’t guarantee even basic reliability. As a result, buyers end up hostages to technical miscalculations and corporate policies, where customer interests clearly aren’t prioritized.
Rolls-Royce is a British luxury car manufacturer founded in the early 20th century, becoming a symbol of status and prestige. In recent years, the company has heavily invested in the development of electric vehicles, aiming to maintain its leadership in the premium car market. However, the shift to new technologies brings not only innovation but also significant challenges—from reliability issues to overhauling its service network. Product quality scandals can prove costly for a brand whose reputation has always been its top priority.
