Customers would be reimbursed around Rs 130 crores by electric two-wheeler maker Ola Electric. The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) will not take any further action against Ola Electric as the company announced in its letter to ARAI dated April 30, 2023 that, on their own volition, they will reimburse the price (approximately Rs. 130 crore) of the off-board charger to all customers who purchased the off-board charger as an accessory when purchasing an Ola S1Pro model scooter from FY 2019-20 until March 30, 2023.
Following whistleblower complaints, the Ministry of Heavy Industries has investigated Hero MotoCorp, TVS Motor Company, Ather Energy, and Ola Electric. According to the accusations, all four businesses were billing clients for subsidies that exceeded the Rs 1.5 lakh ceiling under the national government’s FAME plan.
Previously, the companies claimed that the extra cost was for additional software features and the off board charger.
Both Ather Energy and Ola Electric have cut the price of their electric scooters in order to fulfill the FAME scheme’s qualifying requirements. Ola Electric is also expected to submit a fully certified statement to ARAI after all consumers have been paid.
Reference- Economic Times, ARAI website & PR, OLA website, CNBC-TV18 Story
