Pay up for faulty e-bike: Consumer panel to Hyderabad firm

Panaji: The North Goa District Consumer Redressal Commission directed PUR Energy Ltd, a Hyderabad-based EV company, to pay Rs 98,692 to Moira resident Sheshan Rawool for a defective two-wheeler. The commission also ordered the EV company to pay Rs 25,000 as compensation for deficiency in service.

The commission, presided over by president Bela Naik and member Auroliano de Oliveria, observed, “The EV company asking Rawool to pay Rs 11,068 despite the battery being under warranty shows deficiency, and put him in mental and financial stress. A consumer cannot be expected to have equipment to test a battery. Only the EV company responsible for servicing has machinery for conducting such a test.”


According to the complaint, Rawool had booked an e-bike on Feb 24, 2022 and had paid the booking amount in cash. He subsequently sought a loan of Rs 82,000 and purchased the vehicle on March 3, 2022 from the EV company.

Later, in Nov 2022, he experienced a significant drop in the two-wheeler’s mileage, reducing to 50km per full charge, contrary to the performance promised at the time of purchase. When he consulted the company, it claimed the issue was resolved.

In Jan 2023, the vehicle stopped functioning even though it was fully charged. Rawool approached the dealership and was assured by the service adviser that a battery management system would be installed. Despite repeated assurances, the replacement battery installed was defective.

Rawool made multiple requests to the company for a warranty card, but they failed to provide it. In June 2023, he learnt that the e-bike’s battery was repaired, but he was asked to pay Rs 11,068, despite the battery being under warranty. He thereafter sent a legal notice to the company on Sep 25, 2024.

The EV company argued that Rawool did not avail all mandatory services, and that it had replaced the battery free of cost as a goodwill gesture. It also said he used the vehicle without ensuring proper maintenance practices, which the firm was not liable for, and hence argued that the complaint was bad in law.

The commission, however, ordered the EV company to pay Rs 98,692 to Rawool, along with Rs 25,000 as compensation for deficiency in service.