In a spirited clash on social media platform X, Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal and comedian Kunal Kamra went back and forth over concerns raised about Ola’s electric vehicles (EVs). The argument was sparked when Kamra shared a photo of an Ola service center with EVs covered in dust and parked haphazardly, highlighting the lack of proper service for Indian customers. Kamra voiced concerns about how these issues impacted daily wage workers who rely on two-wheelers, tagging government officials and inviting users to share their experiences with Ola’s EVs.
“Do Indian Consumers Deserve This?” Kamra Raises Tough Questions
Kamra’s post, which came as a response to Aggarwal’s tweet about Ola’s Gigafactory, questioned the treatment of Indian customers. He asked if daily wage workers and other users relying on Ola EVs deserved such poor service standards, and tagged Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and the Ministry of Consumer Affairs to bring attention to the issue. Kamra’s call to action led numerous users to flood the comments, recounting their negative experiences with Ola EVs, from unresolved technical issues to lengthy service delays.
Aggarwal Fires Back, Accuses Kamra of “Paid Tweet”
In response, Aggarwal accused Kamra of making a “paid tweet” to criticize the company and offered him a job at Ola to help resolve these issues, claiming he would “pay more than you earned for this paid tweet or from your failed comedy career.” Aggarwal’s response included a taunt for Kamra to “sit quiet” and allow the company to address real customer needs, adding that Ola was actively expanding its service network and working to clear backlogs.
Kamra Challenges Aggarwal’s Claims, Demands Proof
Not one to back down, Kamra replied, challenging Aggarwal to prove his claim of a paid tweet. “If you can prove I am paid for the tweet… I’ll delete all social media and sit quietly forever,” Kamra shot back, posting a clip from a past stand-up show as a rebuttal to Aggarwal’s jabs about his comedy career. Kamra’s response included a note of sarcasm about Indian businessmen “at their humble best,” indirectly pointing out the arrogance in Aggarwal’s reply.
Kamra Pushes for Customer Accountability, Calls for Refunds
Shifting the focus back to customers, Kamra demanded that Ola offer a full refund to customers who had purchased their vehicles within the last four months if they were dissatisfied. “People not being able to get to their workplace need your accountability,” Kamra argued, calling on Aggarwal to focus on customer satisfaction rather than personal insults.
Aggarwal Doubles Down on Taunts, Invites Kamra to the Service Center
Aggarwal, however, continued to criticize Kamra’s career and reiterated his offer for Kamra to work at an Ola service center, challenging him to take on “real work.” “Comedian ban na sake, chaudhary banne chale (Couldn’t become a comedian and is trying to be a leader here),” Aggarwal quipped, advising Kamra to “do his research” and gain “real skills” by working at Ola.
Ola’s Customer Programs and Service Delays
In closing comments, Aggarwal reassured customers that Ola had programs in place to support those experiencing service delays and urged Kamra to take a more constructive approach. Aggarwal highlighted that Ola was working to expand its service network and clear existing backlogs to improve customer experience.
Background: Ola’s Foray into the EV Market
Founded in 2010 by Bhavish Aggarwal and Ankit Bhati, Ola initially gained success as a ride-hailing service before entering the electric vehicle market. The company launched its first EV, the Ola S1 electric scooter, on August 15, 2021. While Ola’s EV push was an ambitious move, this controversy reflects the challenges of balancing rapid expansion with consistent customer service in a competitive industry.