Thane Consumer Commission Mandates Ola Electric to Replace or Refund Faulty Scooter
A consumer commission in Thane has issued a directive to Ola Electric Technologies, compelling the company to either replace a defective electric scooter or provide a full refund to the purchaser. This decision follows a series of persistent technical failures and what the commission described as a "sheer deficiency" in customer service.
Chronology of Technical Failures and Safety Concerns
The commission's order details a troubling timeline of events. The complainant acquired the electric scooter in July 2024 for an amount of Rs 96,997. Merely two days after delivery, during the initial ride, the vehicle encountered significant acceleration problems and broke down on multiple occasions.
A particularly alarming incident occurred on August 29, 2024. The complainant reported that while riding, the battery level dropped precipitously from 21% to a mere 3% within a distance of just 500 meters. This abrupt power loss caused the scooter to come to a sudden halt, a situation the complainant asserted could have resulted in a fatal accident.
Commission's Ruling on Service Deficiency and Compensation
In its ruling, the commission emphasized that Ola Electric failed in its duty to the consumer. "Not disclosing all relevant and necessary information regarding the service of the vehicle and not rectifying the defects constitutes a sheer deficiency on the part of the opponent," the order stated.
Beyond the replacement or refund mandate, the commission has also ordered Ola Electric to pay compensation to the consumer. This includes Rs 20,000 for the mental agony and hardship endured due to the faulty product and subsequent service issues. Additionally, the company must pay Rs 15,000 to cover litigation expenses incurred by the complainant during the legal process.
This case highlights growing scrutiny over the reliability and after-sales service in India's rapidly expanding electric vehicle sector, particularly for new market entrants.
