Ola Electric has been ordered by the Bangalore Urban Consumer Court to pay ₹20,000 in compensation to a customer for charging repair fees during the warranty period—an act deemed an unfair trade practice. The case highlights the importance of upholding warranty obligations and ensuring fair treatment of consumers.
Ola Electric Penalized for Breaching Warranty Terms on S1X Scooter
The incident involved a customer who purchased an Ola S1X electric scooter in June 2024 with a three-year warranty. By March 2025, the scooter developed issues including a bent rear wheel rim, air leakage, and faulty front brakes. Despite being under warranty, the customer was charged ₹1,635 for repairs. After being ignored by Ola Electric even after issuing a legal notice, the consumer filed a case with the court.
The Bangalore Urban District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission ruled that Ola Electric had violated consumer rights and ordered the company to refund the repair charges with 6% annual interest. The interest would rise to 8% if the refund is delayed beyond 45 days. Additionally, the court awarded ₹20,000 for mental agony and ₹5,000 for litigation costs.
Court Warns Ola Over Warranty Failures, Upholds Consumer Rights
The judgment strongly criticised Ola Electric’s failure to honour its warranty terms, declaring that “warranty is not just a word.” The court expressed concern over repeated complaints about Ola’s after-sales service and customer support, warning the company to avoid future lapses.
This ruling reinforces corporate accountability and emphasizes that warranty responsibilities cannot be shifted onto consumers. It serves as a precedent for similar disputes, reminding companies of the legal and ethical importance of fair trade practices and protecting consumer rights in India’s growing electric vehicle market.
Summary:
Ola Electric was fined ₹20,000 by the Bangalore Consumer Court for charging repair fees during the warranty period, violating consumer rights. The court ordered a refund with interest and criticised Ola’s repeated service failures. The ruling reinforces corporate accountability and sets a precedent for fair warranty practices in India’s EV market.
