Ola Electric ordered to pay Rs 25,000 compensation, refund Rs 1.03 lakh to Kerala man over faulty scooter

A consumer commission in Kerala has held Ola Electric guilty of deficiency in service and unfair trade practice after a customer's electric scooter developed repeated faults during the warranty period and he allegedly failed to receive proper after-sales service.

The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Kasaragod, directed Ola Electric to refund Rs 1,03,999 paid for the scooter, along with Rs 25,000 as compensation and Rs 5,000 towards the cost of the complaint. The order was dated July 30.

Why did the customer approach the consumer commission?

According to the commission's order, Jithin G.A. purchased an Ola S1 Pro Gen 2 electric scooter from the company's Kasaragod outlet. He paid Rs 71,259 as a down payment and financed the remaining amount through a bank loan.


The scooter came with a 40,000-km warranty along with an additional warranty plan. However, the complainant said he was able to use the vehicle for only a few months before its rear shock absorber developed a fault.

He approached the nearest service centre in Payyannur but was allegedly told that the issue could not be repaired. He then had to travel around 100 km to the Mangalore showroom to get the scooter repaired.

According to his complaint, the service centres in Kasaragod, Kannur and Mangalore later stopped functioning.

The complainant also alleged that the scooter's battery would automatically shut down after falling below a certain percentage and that the rear shock absorber developed a fault again. He claimed he had to use recovery vehicles to reach charging points and eventually could no longer use the scooter.

He alleged that the repeated defects and lack of proper service caused him financial losses, mental stress and other difficulties. He told the commission that he did not want to use the scooter in future and sought Rs 2 lakh as compensation and Rs 50,000 as damages.

Ola Electric did not appear before the commission

The notice sent to Ola's Kasaragod outlet was returned with the remark that the addressee had left and the shop was closed.

Notice served on Ola Electric Mobility Limited on March 5, 2026, was received by the company. However, Ola Electric did not appear before the commission or file a reply.

The company was therefore proceeded against ex parte.

Why did the commission order a refund?

The bench comprising President Krishnan K and Member Beena K.G. examined documents submitted by the complainant, including the purchase invoice, extended warranty certificate and order booking form.

The commission also examined the terms of the extended warranty. It noted that Ola Electric Technologies Pvt Ltd had reserved the right to change the warranty terms at any time and required customers to check its website for any changes.

“In Ext.A2 it is mentioned that Ola electric technologies Pvt Ltd reserves the right to change any of the terms and conditions of these warranty terms at any time, amounts to unfair trade practice which is against consumer rights,” the commission observed.

The commission further found that the complainant had not received proper service after reporting the defects during the warranty period. It also took note of the service-centre issue in Kasaragod and observed that customers were being forced to approach the Mangalore service centre, around 100 km away.

“In the present case also, the complainant was not availed proper service on reporting defects during warranty period,” the commission said.

The commission noted that the scooter remained in a useless condition and that the complainant did not intend to use it in future because the defects had not been rectified during the warranty period.

With no evidence presented by the opposite parties to counter the complaint, the commission held that there was deficiency in service and unfair trade practice.

“Ext.A2 confirms the deficiency in service on the part of opposite party. In the absence of contra evidence there is gross deficiency in service and unfair trade practice on the part of opposite party,” the commission observed.

Ola Electric ordered to pay Rs 1.34 lakh

The commission noted from the purchase invoice that the complainant had paid Rs 1,03,999 for the scooter.

Since he did not wish to use the vehicle in future and the defects had not been rectified during the warranty period, the commission held that he was entitled to a refund of the purchase amount, along with compensation and costs.

The commission partly allowed the complaint and directed Ola Electric to refund Rs 1,03,999, pay Rs 25,000 as compensation and Rs 5,000 towards the cost of the complaint.

The total amount ordered comes to Rs 1,33,999.

The payment must be made within 30 days of receiving a copy of the order. The commission held the two opposite parties jointly and severally liable for the amount.