New Delhi: A consumer court in Thane has ordered Ola Electric Technologies to either replace a faulty electric scooter or return the full amount paid by the customer. The commission said the company failed to provide proper service and did not fix the issues despite repeated complaints.
The case was filed by a Navi Mumbai-based advocate who said the scooter started facing problems just days after delivery, reported by PTI. The commission observed that the sequence of events clearly showed the vehicle had multiple defects and was not in proper condition.
Scooter showed issues within days
The customer bought the scooter in July 2024 for Rs 96,997. As per the complaint, problems began within two days during the first major ride. The scooter reportedly had several issues, including acceleration breaking down, battery level suddenly dropped from 21 per cent to 3 per cent within just 500 metres, causing the scooter to stop abruptly. The complainant said this could have led to a serious accident.
Poor response and service delays
The commission noted that the customer tried to contact the company multiple times through emails and WhatsApp, but received no response. Action was taken only after the issue was posted on X. Things became more concerning when the scooter was taken for servicing. The complainant later found through his insurance provider that the vehicle had not been reported to the authorised garage. When it was finally returned after several months, it was in an unclean condition and had scratch marks.
Court orders replacement or refund
The commission said the repeated battery drops and other issues showed the scooter was defective from the start. It also added that not updating the customer and keeping the vehicle for a long time amounted to poor service and unfair trade practice.
The court directed Ola Electric to replace the scooter with a new one of the same specifications. If that is not possible, the company must refund Rs 96,997 with 6 per cent annual interest. It also ordered Rs 20,000 as compensation for mental stress and Rs 15,000 towards legal expenses. The case was decided without Ola’s response as the company did not appear before the commission.