The electric vehicle giant, Ola Electric, is facing a storm of criticism, with comedian Kunal Kamra leading the charge against CEO Bhavish Aggarwal over the company’s handling of customer complaints and unresolved refund issues.
The public spat began with Kamra’s observations on social media about a large number of Ola Electric scooters parked outside what appeared to be an Ola store. This prompted a sharp retort from Aggarwal, who challenged Kamra to offer help instead of criticizing. However, Kamra, known for his witty and incisive commentary, wasn’t backing down. He challenged Ola’s refund policy, demanding a full refund for anyone who wishes to return their Ola EV within the past four months. He emphasized that his aim was not personal gain but to hold Ola accountable for its shortcomings.
The public discourse escalated as the Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) stepped in, issuing a show-cause notice to Ola Electric on October 7th. This move followed over 10,000 complaints from consumers regarding quality and after-sales service issues. The CCPA, headed by Chief Commissioner Nidhi Khare and Commissioner Anupam Mishra, conducted an investigation and decided to pursue class action. Ola Electric was given 15 days to respond to the notice.
The company has confirmed receipt of the notice and is currently in the process of responding. However, the controversy has brought to light the mounting consumer dissatisfaction with Ola Electric. The company’s market share has significantly dipped from over 50% in April to 27% in September, and its share price took a hit on Monday, dropping by 8%.
The recent public clashes highlight the increasing scrutiny faced by Ola Electric. The company is facing a double whammy – declining sales and a wave of consumer complaints, leading to a public perception crisis. Whether Ola Electric will be able to address the issues and regain consumer trust remains to be seen. The company has announced its entry into the electric motorcycle segment and is working on expanding its service network, hoping to address some of the concerns raised. However, it’s clear that the road ahead for Ola Electric is paved with challenges.