Ola to return Rs 9,000-19,000 to electric scooter charger buyers

If you have purchased an Ola Electric scooter and shelled out anywhere between Rs 9,000 and Rs 19,000 for a charger, chances are that you will be getting your money back. The company indicated on Monday that it would refund the buyers who spent Rs 9,000 to Rs 19,000 to purchase the charger for their electric scooter. The company decided to do so after the Ministry of Heavy Industries said that Ola Electric would get the remaining subsidy cleared only when it returns the cost of the charger to the buyers.   

Earlier, the company sold the charger, presenting it as an add-on service, as its cost wasn't included in the electric scooter's price. Customers were charged from Rs 9,000 to Rs 19,000 for a smart fast charger. As per an estimate, had Ola Electric included the charger's cost in the scooter's value, the company would have spent an extra Rs 50 crore to Rs 100 crore. 

But as per the FAME II scheme, the company would have received more subsidy had they not sold the charger separately.

The government raised objections with Ola Electric, asking it to compensate the buyers who had purchased chargers separately.

It also said that the subsidy given to the company will be cut if Ola Electric sticks to sell chargers separately. The company had no option but to comply. 

In a meeting with an official of the Ministry of Heavy Industries, the company agreed to return money to the buyers.

Once the company completes the condition of returning all money to the charger buyers, the Ministry will release the remaining subsidy.

For some time, companies have been selling chargers separately for their vehicles and even many mobile companies are not including a charger with their device - forcing phonebuyers to purchase it separately.