Fisker Automotive Electric Cars: What They Are and What Owners Need to Know

Fisker Automotive is a name that has appeared twice in the electric vehicle industry — and both times, it ended in bankruptcy. Understanding what Fisker built, what happened to the company, and what that means for anyone who owns or is considering purchasing a used Fisker EV is genuinely useful information before making any decisions.

What Is Fisker Automotive?

Fisker Automotive was an American electric vehicle startup founded in 2007 by Henrik Fisker, a designer known for his work on the BMW Z8 and Aston Martin DB9. The company's flagship vehicle, the Fisker Karma, launched in 2012 as a plug-in hybrid electric luxury sedan. It used a range-extender powertrain — a gasoline engine that acted as a generator to charge the battery rather than directly driving the wheels — paired with electric motors at the rear axle.

The Karma was visually striking and technically ambitious, but production problems, a battery supplier bankruptcy (A123 Systems), and Hurricane Sandy destroying a large inventory of vehicles contributed to Fisker Automotive filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2013.

The brand and assets were acquired by Chinese auto parts company Wanxiang Group, which rebranded the operation as Karma Automotive. That company continues to produce vehicles under the Karma name, not the Fisker name.

The Second Chapter: Fisker Inc.

Henrik Fisker returned with a new company — Fisker Inc. — founded in 2016. This is a completely separate legal entity from the original Fisker Automotive. Fisker Inc. produced the Fisker Ocean, an all-electric SUV that began deliveries in 2023.

The Fisker Ocean is a battery electric vehicle (BEV) — no gasoline engine. It uses a front or dual electric motor setup depending on trim, with an available all-wheel drive configuration on higher trims. EPA-estimated range varied by trim from roughly 220 to 360 miles, though real-world range figures often differ from EPA estimates based on driving conditions, temperature, and load.

Fisker Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June 2024, halting production and leaving roughly 4,700–5,000 delivered vehicles on the road with an uncertain support structure behind them.

The Fisker Karma Powertrain Explained

The original Karma used what Fisker called an Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) architecture:

The Karma was not a traditional hybrid — the gasoline engine never mechanically connected to the wheels. This is similar in concept to the Chevrolet Volt's primary operating mode.

The Fisker Ocean Powertrain Explained ⚡

The Ocean operates as a pure battery electric vehicle with no combustion engine:

The Ocean used an 800V electrical architecture on some trims, which supports faster DC charging speeds compared to older 400V systems. That architecture is the same general approach used by Hyundai's E-GMP platform and Porsche's Taycan.

What Bankruptcy Means for Fisker Owners

Both Fisker companies going bankrupt raises real, practical questions for anyone who owns one or is thinking about buying one on the used market.

Warranty coverage becomes complicated or void when a manufacturer dissolves. In a typical bankruptcy, warranty obligations are among the liabilities that may not transfer to buyers of the brand's assets. This varies based on the specific terms of any acquisition and whether a successor entity chooses to honor prior commitments.

Parts availability is a significant long-term concern. Fisker Ocean components may become difficult to source as the supply chain contracts. Some parts — like tires, brake components, and generic electrical hardware — may be available through third-party suppliers. Battery packs, proprietary software, and model-specific modules are a different matter.

Software updates and remote services for the Ocean were tied to Fisker's servers and app infrastructure. When a company ceases operations, over-the-air update capability, connected features, and app-based functions often stop working.

Independent repair shops that specialize in EVs may be able to handle some service, but manufacturer-specific diagnostics and proprietary repair tooling can limit what's possible outside an authorized network — which no longer exists for Fisker.

Registering and Insuring a Fisker in Your State 🔋

Fisker vehicles are titled and registered the same way as any other passenger vehicle or EV in your state. The specific process — fees, emissions exemptions, EV-specific registration surcharges, and title transfer requirements — depends entirely on your state's DMV rules.

Many states apply an annual EV fee to compensate for lost gas tax revenue. These fees vary widely by state, from around $50 to over $200 per year in some cases. Whether a Fisker Ocean or Karma qualifies for state EV incentives or HOV lane access depends on your state's current eligibility rules, which may have changed since the vehicle was originally sold.

Insurance for discontinued or bankrupt-brand vehicles is generally available through standard auto insurers, though finding parts for claims can complicate the process if the vehicle sustains damage. Some insurers may treat low-production or discontinued vehicles differently when it comes to comprehensive and collision coverage valuations.

The Missing Pieces

How all of this plays out depends on details that aren't universal: which Fisker model is involved, the model year, your state's specific registration and incentive rules, whether a mechanic in your area has EV diagnostic experience, and the current used market value of the vehicle. A Karma from 2012 and a Fisker Ocean from 2023 present very different ownership realities — and your state and circumstances shape what's practical for either one.