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Ola Electric Faces Rs. 1.3 Lakh Penalty for Defective Scooter
29 Mar
Summary
- Ola must replace the scooter or refund Rs 96,997 with interest.
- Company ordered to pay Rs 20,000 for mental agony and Rs 15,000 for costs.
- Consumer commission cited 'sheer deficiency' and 'unfair trade practice'.
A consumer commission in Thane has mandated Ola Electric to either replace a defective electric scooter or issue a full refund of Rs 96,997. This decision follows a series of technical failures that plagued the scooter shortly after its purchase in July 2024. The vehicle experienced acceleration issues and broke down multiple times, with one incident seeing the battery level plummet drastically within a short distance, posing a safety risk.
The commission found Ola Electric guilty of 'sheer deficiency' in customer service and engaging in 'unfair trade practice'. Despite repeated attempts by the owner to resolve the issues, the company's response was inadequate. Even after the scooter was taken for service, its status was unclear, and it was returned in poor condition with scratches.
In its ex parte order, the commission directed Ola Electric to compensate the customer with Rs 20,000 for mental agony and Rs 15,000 for litigation expenses. The ruling underscores a significant lapse in service and product quality, leading to a substantial financial penalty for the electric vehicle manufacturer.
