Archive · 4 Oct 2026
Kerala Commission Orders Rs 1.68 Lakh Over Defective E-Scooter
A person in Kerala bought an electric scooter that was said to travel up to 85 kilometres after charging.
The scooter later travelled only 16 kilometres on a full charge.
Its owner said repairs and battery replacements did not fix the problems.
Experts also found problems with the battery and front-wheel parts.
The company and dealer said riding conditions might explain the short distance.
The commission said they had not shown evidence that those factors caused the problem.
It found the scooter had a manufacturing defect.
It ordered the manufacturer to pay a total of Rs 1.68 lakh, including a refund, compensation and legal costs.
A Palakkad consumer commission found an electric scooter had defects after experts recorded a range of 16 km on a full charge.
The scooter was bought for Rs 88,000 in 2022 and had been represented as capable of travelling up to 85 km after a six-hour charge.
The consumer reported poor mileage, a loose front-wheel bearing and charger issues despite repeated servicing and battery replacements.
The commission ordered the manufacturer to refund Rs 88,000, pay Rs 55,000 in compensation and cover Rs 25,000 in litigation costs.
The manufacturer and dealer blamed possible riding and environmental factors, but the commission said they had not supported that explanation with evidence.
- Who
- A scooter owner, the manufacturer and dealer, and the Palakkad District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.
- What
- The commission found defects in the scooter and ordered the manufacturer to pay a refund, compensation and litigation costs.
- When
- The commission issued its order on September 30; the year is not stated. The scooter was purchased in 2022.
- Where
- Palakkad, Kerala.
- Why
- The scooter travelled only 16 km on a full charge and continued to have problems despite servicing and battery replacements.
Commission and expert findings
Manufacturer and dealer’s position
Cause of poor mileage
Commission and expert findings
The commission relied on expert findings of battery and charge-retention problems and defects in the front-wheel shaft bearing system, and concluded the scooter had a manufacturing defect.
Manufacturer and dealer’s position
The manufacturer and dealer denied a manufacturing defect and cited possible factors including rider weight, terrain, tyre pressure, riding style, temperature and high-speed riding.
Evidence and complaint timing
Commission and expert findings
The commission said the manufacturer and dealer did not provide evidence that the suggested external factors caused the problems. It rejected their limitation argument, finding the issue continued despite repair attempts.
Manufacturer and dealer’s position
The manufacturer and dealer argued that the consumer’s complaint, filed in December 2024, was barred by limitation and objected to the expert report.
- Claimed range
- Up to 85 km after a six-hour charge
- Expert-measured range
- 16 km on a full charge
- Purchase price
- Rs 88,000
- Refund ordered
- Rs 88,000
- Compensation
- Rs 55,000
- Litigation costs
- Rs 25,000
- Total relief
- Rs 1.68 lakh
- Order date
- September 30; year not stated
