A disgruntled customer set fire to an Ola Electric showroom in Kalaburagi, Karnataka, due to frustration over the company's delay in repairing his electric scooter. The incident occurred after 26-year-old Mohammad Nadeem, a resident of Kalaburagi, allegedly became upset with the showroom staff's repeated failure to address the technical issues with his vehicle.
Nadeem had purchased the Ola electric scooter on August 28 for Rs 1.4 lakh. However, shortly after his purchase, he began experiencing problems with the scooter's battery and sound system. Despite multiple complaints and visits to the showroom, Nadeem’s issues remained unresolved, leading to increasing frustration.
On September 10, Nadeem, a mechanic by profession, decided to take drastic action. He reportedly bought petrol and set the showroom on fire in a fit of rage. No one was injured in the incident, as the showroom was closed at the time. However, the fire caused significant damage, with six scooters being badly burned. The total estimated loss from the incident is around Rs 8.5 lakh.
Local authorities are investigating the incident, and Nadeem may face legal consequences for his actions.
However, it is not clear whether Ola Electric has responded to the incident.
The event highlights the growing frustration among customers over unresolved issues with electric vehicles, particularly in cases where customer service is perceived as inadequate.
In February this year, an Ola electric scooter caught fire during charging at Chhattisgarh’s Raipur. The fire accident not only engulfed the vehicle but also destroyed a 2 storey structure and left its residents injured. The fire which originated from a charging point in the parking also destroyed three other vehicles. The electric scooter was owned by Faizan, a doctor by profession, who heard a loud explosion at 5:30 AM and found the scooter on fire.
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