Subterms
Ola S1 Pro Sona Edition With S1 Pro Sona Edition giveaway contest, Ola Electric might achieve some positive social media content after a massive backlash One of India’s leading electric scooter makers, Ola Electric, is creating new buzz around its S1 range with the introduction of S1 Pro Sona Edition. This is a very limited […] More
Ola New Electric Scooter TeasedTop speed on this particular model might be low, as Ola’s electric 2W CV with removable battery is aimed at last-mile mobility sector
India’s electric 2W market has been tilted towards eScooters that offer flexibility of being unisex in their approach. However, last-mile mobility sector is also a major market for electric 2W manufacturers. Looking at an opportunity, India’s leading electric 2W vehicle manufacturer, Ola Electric, is coming up with their maiden CV.
Ola New Electric Scooter
Earlier this year, patents of Ola’s swappable battery module design patent leaked on the interet, suggesting the company is investing into swappable battery tech. Later on, design patents of Ola’s maiden commercial 2W EV leaked too, showing where that swappable battery could debut. Now, Ola has officially teased their maiden CV and is set to launch soon.
After conquering the 2W electric PV segment, Ola Electric is making massive advances into 2W electric CVs as well. After a couple of leaked patent designs, the company has teased their first-ever commercial vehicle. From what we can see in these teasers, Ola is aiming at last-mile mobility segment.
The teasers resonate with what we saw with leaked design patents of this upcoming scooter. Overall appearance is that of a slightly premium commercial vehicle, especially when compared to what is already available in this segment. Design is fairly minimal and gets a utilitarian approach.
Ola New Electric Scooter Teased
We can see what looks like a sturdy frame finished in a Red shade. There are protective side guards protruding from this frame. There appears to be a flat floorboard, allowing users to carry payload here. Rider footpegs are simple units seen on either sides. Pillion footpegs seem to be absent as this scooter looks like a single-seater.
Where a pillion seat should have been, there is a luggage area, used to increase payload carrying capacity. This scooter has minimal bodywork too, to keep costs down. Features like digital instrument cluster, LED headlights are expected.
Swappable Battery!
The main takeaway from these teasers is that Ola Electric has confirmed that this upcoming electric 2W CV will have their maiden swappable battery pack. Or, removable battery, if you may. This could allow Ola to offer battery as a rental service (BaaS), thus getting the price point low and competitive. The exact specifications of this battery pack is not yet known.
Ola New Electric Scooter Teased
From the looks of it, this upcoming Ola new electric scooter has provision for one swappable battery pack and some storage beside it. There may be a dual-battery variant in the future. There is a hub motor in rear wheel for propulsion and twin shock absorbers for load carrying capacity. Slowly, Ola could implement removable battery tech in their PVs too. More
Ola Electric Scooter outside a service outletOla Electric, facing increased regulatory scrutiny over its recent BOSS sale discounts, has clarified its position in a formal response to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE)
Ola Electric share price has seen a massive drop recently, raising concerns regarding its pricing strategy, particularly for the S1 X 2kWh model. From a peak of Rs 157 in August, Ola Electric share price was at Rs 87.46 at the end of trading day on 14th October.
Ola Electric ‘BOSS’ Discounts
Following reduced sales and complaints of flawed after sales service, Ola Electric is now resorting to the ‘BOSS’ offer to cash in on festive buying. The S1 X 2kWh model is being presented at Rs 49,999 which is lower than the ex-factory price. This according to ARAI was done without them being informed in advance.
Ola Electric Scooter At Rs 50k
ARAI has hence asked Ola Electric to offer more clarity on this significantly reduced pricing. Failure to give any satisfactory reasons, the company could lose the subsidies which are being offered under PM Electric DRIVE Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) scheme, which recently replaced FAME-II. The company also faces strong action in terms of widespread consumer complaints, compounding this issue even further.
Called BOSS (Biggest Ola Season Sale), the Ola Electric S1 X 2kWh model is being offered at Rs 49,999. This is a Rs 25,000 discount on actual pricing of Rs 75,001. Failure to inform ARAI about this new pricing policy prior to announcing the ‘BOSS’ promotional scheme is what has resulted in this questioning.
ARAI now seeks clarity on this new price reduction and Ola Electric could face lawsuits if found guilty of violating regulatory guidelines. Ola Electric could also face the risk of losing financial benefits under the new subsidy scheme while Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) has also asked ARAI to confirm if Ola Electric is conforming to warranty terms and conditions and maintenance of service centers.
Ola Electric’s Clarification
Ola Electric has now provided clarification on the issue following inquiries from the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI). Ola Electric received an email from ARAI on October 8, 2024, seeking confirmation about whether the S1 X 2kWh was being sold at the discounted price of Rs 49,999. In response, Ola Electric clarified that:
The company has not permanently changed the price of the S1 X 2kWh model. The reduced price is part of a limited-time festive campaign, offering a general discount of Rs 5,000 to all customers, while a Rs 25,000 discount was applied only to select customers with limited inventory available.
Supporting documents, including an invoice dated October 6, 2024, and a screenshot from their app, were provided to ARAI as evidence of this selective pricing. Additionally, Ola Electric noted that they had promptly supplied further documentation upon request from ARAI on October 9, 2024. To date, they have not received any further communication from the regulatory body.
Addressing Stock Price Volatility
Ola Electric also addressed the recent movement in its share price, clarifying that they are not aware of any undisclosed information that could explain the fluctuation. The company assured that all material events and information required under SEBI’s Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements have been duly disclosed to the relevant stock exchanges. Ola emphasized that the media report on the regulatory scrutiny has had no material impact on the company’s overall operations or financial health.
Ola Electric Fall from Glory – Piling Complaints, Lawsuits, Falling Share Price
Ola Electric, even as it is currently the top selling electric 2W maker in India, with a 27% market share as of September 2024 ended the month in the red. The company reported a 10.31% MoM de-growth. Sales fell to 24,679 units in the past month with competitors Bajaj, TVS and Ather all witnessing increased demand.
Sales of Ola Electric have been fast dwindling as consumer issues mount. A series of complaints pour in with regard to deliveries substandard performance, service delays, documentation and mileage issues etc., with the National Consumer Helpline portal receiving nearly 10,000+ complaints to date. The complaints which pile in have even termed Ola service centers as ‘graveyards of electric scooters’ on social media. CCPA has also sought a response from Ola Electric within 15 days.
Following these concerns and falling of share price to Rs 87.34, down 44.48% from a record high of Rs 157.53, on August 20, 2024, Ola Electric has promised stringent measures. Among these remedial measures are expansion of service networks by the end of this calendar year. AI relation maintenance program with Move OS 5 and augmented training to service personnel along with Hyper Service facilities and 1 day fix are also some of these measures being adopted. More
Ola Electric Scooter ComplaintsHeavy Industries Ministry has sent letter to ARAI seeking more clarification into the complaints of Ola Electric scooters
Ola Electric Mobility Ltd. is facing growing regulatory scrutiny as the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued a show-cause notice in response to widespread consumer complaints. The notice comes amid allegations of service deficiencies, misleading advertisements, and unfair trade practices, pushing the company to respond within 15 days with supporting documentation.
Grievances Unveiled
A leaked document reveals the scale and nature of the consumer complaints that have been lodged against Ola Electric. Some of the key issues include:
Ola Electric Scooter Complaints. Image – Alisha Sachdev
– Charging during free service period/warranty – 109 complaints– Charging extra than promised – 91 complaints– Customer requests not entertained by dealer/service centers – 117 complaints– Improper customer/helpline services – 67 complaints– Delays in new vehicle delivery – 1,899 complaints– Delays in service/repair – 3,364 complaints– Delays in providing vehicle documents – 244 complaints– Fake insurance/documents provided by dealers – 21 complaints– Mileage not as per commitment – 28 complaints– Misbehaviour by dealer/company – 52 complaints– Misleading advertisements – 34 complaints– Non/partial refunds on booking cancellations – 270 complaints– Unfulfilled promised gifts – 111 complaints– Promised services not provided – 1,459 complaints– Same problem persisting after repairs – 471 complaints– Sale of second-hand/test-drive vehicles as new – 34 complaints– Unsatisfactory redressal of complaints – 672 complaints– Manufacturing defects in vehicles – 761 complaints– False promises and misleading information about vehicles – 144 complaints
In addition to these, there are over 10,000 complaints registered in total.
Mounting Pressure and Market Share Worries
Analysts have pointed out that Ola Electric’s market share is under increasing pressure as competition in the electric two-wheeler segment intensifies. The company’s reputation has been shaken by these complaints, which could lead to further challenges in maintaining market leadership. According to insiders, this wave of negative publicity could affect consumer confidence in the brand, making it crucial for the company to resolve the issues swiftly.
Ministry of Heavy Industries Investigates Service Complaints
In a parallel development, the Union Ministry of Heavy Industries has launched an investigation into the service-related issues raised by Ola Electric customers. The ministry has sent a letter to the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), seeking clarification and inputs regarding the complaints filed.
The ministry also emphasized that, as per the FAME-II and PM E-Drive schemes, all original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), including Ola Electric, are required to maintain service centers and provide warranties. Ola Electric, being a beneficiary of these schemes, has been asked to provide detailed comments and address the grievances at the earliest.
Analyst Insights: Tough Times Ahead for Ola Electric
With the combined pressure from the CCPA and the Ministry of Heavy Industries, industry analysts predict challenging times ahead for Ola Electric. The company’s ability to manage the situation and provide satisfactory responses will be crucial in determining its future market position. Ola Electric is trading at Rs 91 on the NSE, down 5%. More
Ola Electric Scooter outside a service outletThe Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has issued a show cause notice to Ola Electric after a significant increase in consumer complaints regarding its e-scooters
The notice, dated October 3, flags potential violations of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, citing service deficiencies, misleading advertisements, unfair trade practices, and consumer rights violations. Ola Electric has been directed to respond within 15 days.
Over 10,000 Complaints Lodged Against Ola Electric
The National Consumer Helpline (NCH) registered 10,644 complaints between September 1, 2023, and August 30, 2024. Service delays for e-scooters accounted for 3,389 of these complaints, while 1,899 consumers reported delayed vehicle deliveries. Another 1,459 complaints involved unfulfilled service promises. Additional issues included manufacturing defects, improper refunds, recurring defects, and battery-related malfunctions.
Ola Electric acknowledges the show cause notice
Ola Electric acknowledges the show cause notice
Nidhi Khare, Secretary of the Department of Consumer Affairs, confirmed that the CCPA is actively looking into the complaints and urged Ola Electric to resolve these issues promptly. National Consumer Helpline can be contacted via phone (1800-11-4000 , 1915), eMail (nch-ca@gov.in), website (https://consumerhelpline.gov.in), Google Play Store App, etc.
National Consumer Helpline
National Consumer Helpline
Ola Electric Stock Takes a Hit
On Monday, Ola Electric’s stock dropped nearly 9%, reaching an intra-day low of Rs 90.26. The company’s shares, which debuted on August 9, have since fallen 74% from their peak of Rs 157.40. In Q1 FY25, Ola Electric reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 347 crore, despite a 32.3% year-on-year revenue growth. The company raised Rs 6,154 crore through its IPO, which had initially seen strong investor interest with a 4.27 times subscription rate.
Ola Electric share price – October 7, 2024.
Twitter Users Voice Frustration Over Delayed Action
The news of the CCPA’s show cause notice prompted strong reactions on social media. One Twitter user expressed frustration over the delayed response from consumer authorities, writing, “Don’t know why National Consumer Helpline has to wait for 10k+ complaints to act. When will they learn to be proactive n give some value and respect to the Indian consumer? It’s because of the lackadaisical attitude of these offices that corporates feel emboldened to sideline consumers.”
Bhavish Aggarwal’s Social Media Spat Sparks Backlash
This notice comes a day after Ola Electric CEO Bhavish Aggarwal’s feud with comedian Kunal Kamra on Sunday. Kamra posted a picture of Ola scooters gathering dust outside a dealership, which prompted Aggarwal to accuse him of being paid to criticize the company.
The argument escalated on X (formerly Twitter), where Aggarwal deflected criticism of the company’s service issues and invited Kamra to work at an Ola service center. Aggarwal’s failure to acknowledge the rising consumer complaints added fuel to the online backlash, especially in light of reports that Ola Electric is receiving up to 80,000 complaints per month. More
Photo Credit – Ashok Shrivastav. Ola scooter service centre – Before, After.Tweeting Triumphs: Big Headlines!
It starts with a tweet. And you respond. While engagement generated by a public spat may be appealing to some, the lack of accountability in these interactions is evident. Especially if its unfunny. Some believe they are above critique and could respond in ways that reflect a need to control the narrative. Defensiveness and confrontation take precedence over accountability and transparency.
This dynamic is a key problem in today’s social media landscape: the tendency to prioritise personal standpoint over meaningful, solution-oriented conversations. A simple response would have been
Photo Credit – Ashok Shrivastav. Ola Electric service centre
Ola Electric Stock Drop: Not an Enjoyable Ride
In other news today, Ola Electric share price fell below Rs 90. At Rs 89.55, its shouldering a 8.38 percent drop. FADA reports Ola Electric’s 2024 September sales at 24,679 units.
While common, certain lines of argument are a problematic dynamic in public discourse, particularly on social media. Especially when confrontational tones and personal attacks often overshadow constructive conversation. Why is it such a common phenomenon?
Ola Electric Share market – October 7, 2024.
Social Media: Where Politeness Goes to Die
When a company or individual is publicly criticised, most likely the tweet will be ignored, or there will be an automated robotic response about how they’re looking into the prob and customer care will contact them. But that pattern is likely to change if a tweet is from a known/popular entity. There could be great drama if you’re not nameless/faceless. An urge to defend oneself in the face of public criticism could be innate. So instead of even an iota of meaningful dialogue, one could deflect criticism with personal jabs. This behaviour could be from feeling personally attacked, even when the criticism was directed at the company, not the individual. Concurrently, a large audience gets sucked into it.
Is it difficult for CEOs or company leaders to separate themselves from their companies because their identity is often deeply intertwined with the brand they represent? Does criticism of the company feel like a direct attack on their personal competence, leadership, or vision? Does negative feedback trigger a need to protect not just the company’s reputation, but their own?
Brand reputation management – Choosing Silence
Do indian consumers have a voice? Do they deserve this? Two wheelers are many daily wage workers lifeline…@nitin_gadkari is this how Indians will get to using EV’s? @jagograhakjago any word?Anyone who has an issue with OLA electric leave your story below tagging all… https://t.co/G2zdIs15wh pic.twitter.com/EhJmAzhCmt
— Kunal Kamra (@kunalkamra88) October 6, 2024
On platforms like Twitter, exchanges tend to escalate quickly, as scrutiny and audience engagement create a high-drama environment. Aggressive responses often receive attention. It’s engagement farming without even having to try. When public figures engage in a public spat, especially on social media, it draws attention, increases engagement, and fuels conversations, even if the content itself is disparaging. A spectacle. Such responses, however unprofessional or personal, are likely to trigger strong reactions, be it support from loyalists or outrage from critics, which, in turn, increases visibility and keeps the brand in the public eye. The more attention one can draw, the more “buzz” one creates, regardless of whether it’s positive or negative.
A Code of Conduct outlines expected standards of behaviour as per company’s values and ethical standards. It’s even simpler to do as The Beatles sang, “Let It Be”, and choose not to respond to a tweet, as many have done countless times. More
Ola Electric Scooter At Rs 50kWith dwindling sales and a massive setback in after-sales service, Ola Electric is marching ahead with BOSS offer ahead of festive season
India’s leading electric 2W mobility solutions provider, Ola Electric, has been proactively pushing the sales of its S1 range of electric scooters. The company has been facing a lot of slack recently and even registered its lowest sales of 2024 last month. Amidst all this, Ola has now offered a limited-period offer.
Called BOSS (Biggest Ola Season Sale), this limited-period offer ensures buyers can take home an Ola S1 scooter for just Rs 49,999. However, Ola’s new BOSS campaign seems to be only applicable to the base S1X electric scooter and the offer is applicable till stocks last. As denoted by an asterisk in a small font.
Ola Electric Scooter At Rs 50k
Ola S1X Electric Scooter At Rs 50K
While the company is still India’s best-selling electric scooter manufacturer, Ola Electric is bleeding volumes quite a lot and is losing precious market share to the likes of TVS and Bajaj Chetak, among others. In September 2024, Ola Electric registered its lowest sales of this calendar year at just 23,965 units.
In a bid to boost sales around the festive season, Ola Electric has launched what it calls BOSS (Biggest Ola Season Sale). With this move, Ola Electric is offering the base S1X electric scooter at an attractive price point of Rs 50K (Effective Ex-sh). Rs 49,999 to be precise. When compared to the actual prices, this is a Rs 25,000 price cut.
Ola Electric Scooter Sep sales lowest in 2024
Ola Electric has mentioned that BOSS offer is for S1X 2 kWh battery model only and the offer price of Rs 49,999 stands till the stocks last. There is no time bracket mentioned and prices can revert back to Rs 74,999 (Ex-sh) at company’s discretion. Ola Electric share price has seen a decline in the past few days. From its peak of Rs 157 on 19th Aug it is down to Rs 102 on 1st Oct.
Declining Sales, Growing Complaints
There is early access to the Ola community, who can avail the offer from today. Speaking of community, Ola scooter owners have been embracing innovative and aggressive measures to showcase their distrust of the brand. The company is averaging around 80,000 complaints per month. One Ola Electric owner sang sad custom songs on loudspeakers in front of the showroom showing a broken-down Ola scooter.
One Ola scooter owner from Kalaburagi in Karnataka (then Gulbarga), set an Ola showroom on fire, demonstrating his frustration regarding the company’s after-sales service. Or the lack thereof. Owners have been reporting everything between small and frustrating niggles and major breakdowns. Ola service centres are being called as graveyards of electric scooters on social media, owing to the prolonged service period.
To tackle growing complaints, Ola Electric is promising rapid measures for damage control. The company promises to expand its service network to incorporate 1,000 service centres by the end of December. AI-powered maintenance with Move OS 5, training 1 lakh third-party mechanics, Hyper Service, 1-Day fix are some of the initiatives. More
Ola Hyper ServiceOla Hyper Service Rollout
Having seen growth in the electric scooter market, Ola is now addressing rising concerns about customer service. In response to these challenges, Ola has introduced Hyper Service, a service initiative aimed at enhancing its service infrastructure and customer support. This new service approach aims to address issues such as service delays and inadequate service centre coverage across India.
Currently, Ola Electric operates approximately 800 stores and 500 service centres. However, in light of this, Ola plans to expand its service centres to 1,000 by December. This expansion is necessary to address scooter problems in a timely manner. The new service centres are expected to help alleviate current service delays and offer faster resolution to customer complaints.
Ola Service Network Expansion
Fixing the Fixers
Ola Electric has also announced an initiative to train 1,00,000 third-party mechanics under its Network Partner Program. This programme is designed to equip mechanics across India with the skills necessary to handle electric vehicles (EVs). The goal is ambitious.
Ola is introducing an AI-powered maintenance and diagnostics system to further enhance its service capabilities. This system will be rolled out with the MoveOS 5 update in October. AI technology will allow for proactive maintenance and remote diagnostics, helping to identify and resolve issues before they escalate. This system also supports doorstep maintenance.
Ola’s 1-Day Service Promise: Quick Fix or Quick Frustration?
To ensure quicker service for its customers, Ola has introduced a 1-day service resolution guarantee. In the event of a delay, customers are offered a back-up S1 scooter while their vehicle is being serviced. Additionally, Ola Care+ customers will receive Ola Cabs coupons during service delays.
While the expansion of service centres and the implementation of AI-powered diagnostics seem promising, questions pop up about the scalability and readiness of these solutions. Training 1,00,000 mechanics by 2025 is a large undertaking, and it remains to be seen whether the newly trained mechanics will be able to handle the complexities of newer EV tech effectively.
Service Centres and AI
While Ola promises a 1-day resolution, this could place additional strain on an already overstretched service infrastructure. Customers may face increased frustration if these guarantees are not met, especially given the high volume of service complaints reported monthly.
Ola’s new initiatives, including the expansion of its service network and the introduction of AI-powered diagnostics, represent a significant shift in its approach to customer service. However, the success of these efforts will depend on the execution and long-term feasibility/sustainability of the programmes. Expanding service centres and training mechanics are critical steps, but addressing fundamental service challenges will require a deeper transformation of Ola’s overall service strategy.
Can Ola Hyper Service Solve Its Service Woes?
The launch of the MoveOS 5 update in October will direct Ola’s service enhancement efforts. This update promises to bring new features and improvements to Ola’s electric scooters, particularly in terms of diagnostics and maintenance. As Ola continues to roll out these updates, customer feedback will play a crucial role in determining the success of the new service infrastructure.
Ola Hyper Service is designed to improve accessibility, speed, and convenience for its customers. However, the real test will lie in the effectiveness of these initiatives in addressing the existing service challenges and improving the overall customer experience. More
Ola Electric Service Center. Image – Akshay BhatOn an average, Ola Electric receives around 80,000 complaints per month which can sometimes go up to 6,000-7,000 per day
Ola Electric, the Bengaluru based electric scooter manufacturer has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. Sales have been dwindling while customer complaints mount to new heights each month. Customers have taken to social media vent their ire in terms of delayed service response with repair wait times ranging from 30 to 45 days.
Ola Electric Customer Dissatisfaction
One such customer also set the company’s showroom on fire in Kalaburagi city in Karnataka. The customer cited dire lack of support for his recently purchased e-scooter and lower response from the service team. This incident however, caused Rs 8,50,000 worth of damages while luckily no one was hurt during the fire.
Ola Electric Scooter Sales 2024 – Lowest in Aug
A new report reveals, Ola Electric that offers the S1 e-scooter in three variants- S1X (2kWh), S1X and S1X Plus, receives around 80,000 customer complaints per month. It can also go up to 6,000-7,000 per day. In a bid to tackle these grievances, the company has set up a new team with special focus on after sales service operations. This new team consists of employees from other departments such as production and operations.
Ola Electric has sold 6,80,000 electric scooters since its inception. It currently operates via 430 service stations across India. However, with complaints pouring in, the waiting period for repairs stretches to 30-45 days while a lack of customer support has related to much discontentment among customers.
[embedded content]
One particular customer had his e-scooter stuck at a service center for 2-3 months. He cited issues such as the stand sensor problem that took 3 months to resolve. Other issues such as battery failure, range reduction and wheel jamming were also a part of these complaints. The Delhi service center at Najafgarh Road has been labelled the “graveyard of scooters”. The center is grossly understaffed with only 4 service personnel tackling repairs as against a need for a strength of 10 service teams.
Ola Electric Lower Sales
Along with growing customer complaints, the company has also reported lower sales in Aug 2024. Its S1 series recorded lowest monthly sales volumes, falling 34% in July 2024 to 27,506 units. Market share of the company also declined to 31% from an earlier 39% share in the electric two wheeler segment. On the other hand, competitors such as Bajaj Auto with the Chetak e-scooter (20% share) and TVS Motor with the iQube (19% share) have cited increased demand.
Despite falling sales and customer complaints, Ola Electric is going full steam ahead in its future endeavours. The company announced its first electric motorcycles the Roadster, offered in Roadster Pro, Roadster, and Roadster X variants. Deliveries are set to commence from next year.
Ola Electric also plans to diversify into the 3 wheeler segment as a test mule of their electric three wheeler rickshaw was spied in Bengaluru for the first time. This e3W will be offered in electric auto rickshaw and electric 3W cargo vehicle and is likely to be called Ola Raahi. Ola Electric also introduced India 4680 ‘Bharat’ battery cell which promises faster charging and more energy storage. This cell is currently under trial production at Ola’s Gigafactory.
Source More
