ola electric issues the philox
The Ola Electric Showdown: Scooters, Service Centers, and a Side of Stand-Up Comedy
Electric scooters are supposed to be the future, right? But if you ask Kunal Kamra, they might just be the reason for India’s next stand-up comedy tour. The comedian, known for taking digs at everyone and everything, decided to go after Ola Electric’s less-than-perfect service centers, and let’s just say the results have been electrifying. What followed was a war of words between Kamra and Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal, which ended up being more entertaining than some of Kamra’s own comedy shows (no offense, Kunal, your shows are still the best though less funnier than this exchange).
The Scene at the Ola Service Centers
So it all began when Kunal Kamra posted a picture on X (formerly Twitter) of an Ola service center that looked more like a parking lot for broken dreams — I mean, scooters. Hundreds of EVs were parked there, waiting for a miraculous resurrection. Kamra, being Kamra, couldn’t resist poking the bear and tweeted, “Do Indian consumers have a voice? Do they deserve this?”
Well, Bhavish Aggarwal, Ola’s CEO, certainly had a voice. And that voice was LOUD.
Bhavish Aggarwal: CEO or Stand-Up Rival?
Responding to Kamra’s dig, Bhavish didn’t hold back. He hit Kamra with, “Since you care so much, come and help us out! I’ll even pay more than you earned for this paid tweet or from your failed comedy career.” Ouch. That’s the kind of burn even a Tesla battery can’t handle. Bhavish basically told Kamra to put on a helmet and get to work at the service center — a plot twist no one saw coming.
Kamra, being the seasoned roast-master, quickly fired back, asking Aggarwal to give full refunds to anyone who wanted to return their scooter within four months. Kamra may not want Bhavish’s money, but he sure knows how to stir up a storm.
Electric Scooters or Electric Nightmares?
The real issue here isn’t just about Kunal Kamra’s Twitter banter, though that’s obviously the fun part. It’s about Ola Electric’s service centers being busier than a chaiwala during election season. Customers have been reporting months-long delays in getting their scooters fixed, and scooters breaking down more often than your college Wi-Fi.
One poor soul claimed their scooter had more check-ins at the service center than a travel influencer has at fancy hotels. Another customer had to visit the service center more times than Bhavish replied to Kamra’s tweets (and that’s a LOT).
The Suspension That Couldn’t Handle the Weight of Expectations
Oh, and let’s not forget the cherry on this electric sundae: scooters with front suspensions that snap faster than Bhavish’s comebacks. Some riders have faced suspension (pun intended) issues that led to actual accidents. It seems like the only thing getting more traction than these scooters are the Twitter threads about their problems.
Business Model or Comedy Skit?
Bhavish Aggarwal proudly mentioned that Ola has over 500 experience centers and 430 service stations. And experience is certainly the word—because every trip to these centers sounds like an experience customers will never forget. The scooters might be cheap, but the emotional cost? Priceless.
Kamra joked that his petrol bike was better than this electric marvel, and honestly, he might have a point. Sure, electric vehicles save the environment, but at what cost? (Your sanity, if you’ve ever been to an Ola service center.)
The War of Words Continues
The tweet exchange between Kamra and Aggarwal reads like a WWE smackdown, with Bhavish inviting Kunal to the service center and Kunal asking for more accountability. At one point, Bhavish even said, “Chot lagi? Dard hua?” (Did it hurt?). We’re not sure if Bhavish is talking about Kamra’s ego or the customers’ patience, but either way, the banter is pure gold.
Kamra’s final blow was asking for accountability, while Bhavish shot back with a sassy, “Come and do some real work rather than armchair criticism.” Clearly, this isn’t your average corporate CEO vs comedian spat — this is the stuff Netflix specials are made of.
What’s Next for Ola and Kamra?
We’re not sure if Kamra will ever take Bhavish’s offer to work at an Ola service center, but we do know one thing: customers would probably appreciate the entertainment while they wait for their scooters to be repaired. Maybe they can even host stand-up nights at the service centers — it’s not like the scooters are going anywhere anytime soon.
Ending on a Funny Note: Twitter Goes Electric
In true internet fashion, people have been having a field day with this whole situation. So, in the spirit of laughs and complaints, here are a few gems from Twitter (or X, if you’re being all official about it):
- “Ola’s service centers have a better plot twist than Kamra’s jokes. I booked a repair appointment, but I ended up writing my will.”
- “At this point, I think my scooter is just renting space at the service center.”
- “Bhavish and Kamra should stop fighting and start a podcast about the things that don’t work in India. Episode 1: Electric Scooters.”
Stay tuned, because with this much drama, the only thing faster than an Ola scooter is how quickly this story is gaining traction. Let’s just hope your scooter doesn’t need a service anytime soon — unless you’re in the mood for a comedy show.
And now, for the best part, check out some hilarious Twitter posts from users about their ‘electric’ experience with Ola!
