On August 28, 26-year-old Mohammad Nadeem from Kalaburagi was thrilled as he purchased his family’s first electric scooter from an Ola showroom. The excitement was high, as they thought the hassle of buying petrol was finally over. However, within a few days, Nadeem’s joy turned into frustration when the battery of his Ola electric scooter completely stopped working.
Nadeem made multiple attempts to charge the scooter, but it wouldn’t start. After numerous visits to Ola’s service center—10 times in total—he found no resolution. One day, out of sheer frustration, Nadeem stood in front of a petrol pump, confused bystanders wondered why someone with an electric scooter would need petrol. Nadeem then bought petrol and poured it all over the Ola showroom, setting it on fire.
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Ola Electric’s Service Issues: A Nationwide Problem
Mohammad Nadeem’s experience is not unique. Across India, many Ola Electric scooter users are facing similar issues with their vehicles and the company’s after-sales service. According to recent reports, over 80,000 complaints have been registered against Ola Electric scooters. Many users are frustrated as Ola service centers take 30 to 45 days to repair or service their scooters, which is far too long for daily commuters who rely on their vehicles.
Ola, which positions itself as a major player in the electric vehicle (EV) industry, often compares itself to Tesla, calling itself “the Tesla of India.” However, customers have raised serious concerns over the quality of its scooters and after-sales services.
Kunal Kamra Highlights Ola’s Problems on Social Media
Comedian Kunal Kamra recently took to Twitter to share an image of an Ola service center filled with broken scooters. The image depicted a “graveyard” of Ola scooters, and Kamra sarcastically asked whether the Indian public deserved this level of service. Rather than addressing the concerns, Ola’s CEO, Bhavish Aggarwal, decided to engage in a public Twitter spat with Kamra, which many saw as avoiding the real issue at hand.
Ola’s Manufacturing Push Amid Complaints
Despite the mounting complaints, Bhavish Aggarwal continues to push Ola’s growth. On October 6, Aggarwal proudly showcased Ola’s new Giga factory in Tamil Nadu, aimed at ramping up electric vehicle production. While this expansion is crucial for India’s EV future, it raises questions about whether the company is prioritizing growth over customer satisfaction.
Aggarwal, known for his ambitious nature, initially found success with Ola Cabs, which disrupted India’s taxi market in 2011. However, as the company grew, complaints about its ride-hailing services also increased. Many drivers, who once earned high salaries with Ola, saw their incomes drop drastically over time, leading to dissatisfaction. Now, it seems the same issues are cropping up in the EV division, with customers facing delays and unsatisfactory services for their electric scooters.
The Future of Ola Electric and EV Market in India
Ola Electric launched its scooters with much fanfare in 2017, promising to revolutionize India’s transportation with eco-friendly, affordable electric vehicles. However, as more complaints emerge about malfunctioning scooters, delayed services, and battery issues, customers are growing increasingly concerned.
One viral video showed a man’s front wheel falling off while riding his Ola scooter. Another case involved a woman whose front wheel also broke, causing her to suffer serious injuries and requiring intensive care. Ola Electric, instead of taking full responsibility, often blames customers, suggesting they used non-standard parts or mishandled the scooters.
Conclusion: Ola Electric’s Path Forward
Ola Electric’s rapid growth and aggressive marketing strategy have positioned it as a leader in India’s EV market. However, the company must address the growing concerns of its customers. Poor service, faulty scooters, and a lack of accountability are damaging its reputation. If Ola wants to maintain its position and truly become a global leader in electric vehicles, it needs to prioritize customer satisfaction and improve its after-sales support.
Bhavish Aggarwal and his team must take these complaints seriously. In an era where customer reviews can make or break a company, especially in the competitive EV market, Ola Electric needs to focus on resolving customer issues and enhancing product reliability.
Read also: The Inspiring Journey of Bajaj: From a Dream to India’s Largest Two-Wheeler Exporter
