The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (Rural), Ahmedabad, has directed Ola Electric Mobility Ltd. to refund ₹1.05 lakh along with 9 per cent annual interest to a customer after finding that an electric scooter developed repeated defects soon after its purchase.
The commission also ordered the company, its dealership and service division to jointly pay ₹40,000 as compensation for mental harassment and ₹10,000 towards litigation costs.
The complaint was filed by a family from Ahmedabad’s Satellite area. According to the complaint, they purchased an Ola S1 X Plus scooter in January 2024 after taking a test ride at the company’s Memnagar Experience Centre and being influenced by an online promotional offer advertising the vehicle at ₹89,999. Including registration and road tax charges, the family paid ₹1,02,687 and took delivery of the scooter on January 25, 2024.
However, the scooter allegedly started developing problems within days of delivery. The complainants stated that an unusual noise emerged from the rear side of the vehicle during the same month. When the scooter was taken to the service centre, the brake pads were reportedly only polished rather than replaced.
The family further alleged that on February 25, 2024, the scooter’s digital system malfunctioned while it was being ridden near Ahmedabad airport, causing considerable inconvenience.
Despite issuing legal notices to the company in July 2024, the issues remained unresolved, prompting the consumers to approach the commission.
After reviewing the evidence, the consumer forum held Ola Electric responsible for deficiency in service and criticised its after-sales support. The commission ordered the company to refund ₹1,05,729, including the vehicle cost and RTO charges, with 9 per cent interest calculated from February 7, 2024, when the defects were first formally reported.
The commission directed that the entire amount be paid within 30 days of the order.