The Ahmedabad District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed Ola Electric to refund ₹1,05,729 to a family that complained of repeated defects in a newly purchased S1 X Plus electric scooter. The commission also ordered the company and its service division to pay ₹40,000 as compensation for mental harassment and ₹10,000 towards legal expenses.
The case was filed by Swati M. Makhija, Manohar Makhija and Nitin Makhija, residents of the Satellite area in Ahmedabad. They had purchased the Ola S1 X Plus electric scooter in January 2024 after seeing an online advertisement and taking a test ride at an Ola Experience Centre.
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Defects Reported Within Days of Purchase
According to the complaint, the scooter began producing unusual rear-end noise just two days after purchase. When the vehicle was taken to the service centre, the complainants alleged that the brake pads were not properly replaced and were only partially worn down.
The complaint stated that the problem became more serious in February 2024, when the scooter allegedly suffered a digital system failure and suddenly shut down while being ridden. The family raised concerns over safety and later issued legal notices to the company in July 2024.
After no satisfactory resolution was provided, the complainants approached the consumer commission seeking relief. The panel examined the evidence and service records before concluding that the vehicle had developed multiple faults within a short period.
Company’s Defence Rejected by Commission
Ola Electric argued that the problems may have been caused by improper use or maintenance. The commission rejected this argument, observing that such a claim could not be accepted without proper technical or expert evidence.
The panel held that responsibility for product quality and safety rests primarily with the manufacturer, particularly in the case of consumer goods such as electric vehicles. It found that the company had failed to provide an effective remedy despite repeated complaints.
The commission ruled that repeated defects in a newly purchased vehicle justified relief to the buyers. It directed the company to refund ₹1,05,729, including the cost of the vehicle and registration charges.
Refund Ordered With Interest
The commission ordered Ola Electric to make the payment within 30 days. It also directed that the refund amount carry 9 percent annual interest from February 7, 2024, the date when the issues were formally recorded.
In addition to the refund, Ola Electric and its service division were directed to pay ₹40,000 for mental agony and ₹10,000 as litigation expenses. The order comes amid increasing consumer scrutiny of electric vehicles, particularly around reliability, servicing and after-sales support.
The ruling underlines that manufacturers must address repeated defects in new products and cannot avoid responsibility without evidence. It also reinforces the importance of service accountability as more consumers shift to electric mobility.
