Heat exchange highlights consumer concerns as Ola Electric faces service challenges
In a recent online standoff, Ola Electric founder Babish Agarwal clashed with comedian Kunal Kamra on X (formerly Twitter) over service issues plaguing the company’s S1 range of scooters. . The exchange was sparked by Kamla’s post with a photo of an Ola dealer. There, a number of scooters were seen parked outside, gathering dust.
Kamra’s caption raised critical questions about consumer rights in India: “Do Indian consumers have a say?” do they deserve this? ” He emphasized the importance of two-wheelers for many day laborers, saying scooters serve as a vital lifeline for gig workers who depend on two-wheelers for their livelihood.
Amplifying his criticism, Kamra tagged Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari and questioned, “Is this how Indians will get to use electric vehicles?” He also contacted the Ministry of Consumer Affairs for its views on the situation and called on others to share their experiences with Ola Electric.
Mr. Agarwal responded with a sharp rebuttal, accusing Mr. Kamra of posting “paid tweets” demanding that he help the company resolve its issues. “You’re so worried, come and help us! I’ll pay you more than I ever made from this paid tweet or my failed comedian career,” he retorted. He defended the company’s efforts, saying, “We are rapidly expanding our service network and the backlog will be cleared soon.”
Agarwal’s remarks attracted a lot of attention, with over 170,000 views and sparked controversy in the comments section. Many users criticized his response as “arrogant,” with one commenter saying, “If you want to be in the game long term, focus on customer service, take feedback in the right spirit, and improve your product.” Please try to do so,” he advised.
The debate highlights continuing concerns about customer service in the electric vehicle market and growing demands for accountability from companies like Ola Electric.