Ola Suspended in Goa: 2,000+ Complaints Halt Registrations Indefinitely

In a significant crackdown on poor after-sales service in the Indian electric vehicle (EV) sector, the Goa Transport Department has officially suspended Ola Electric’s trade certificate and blocked the company’s access to the VAHAN portal.

This regulatory action effectively halts all new sales and registrations of Ola Electric scooters across the state of Goa until further notice.

Why the Ban? The 2,000-Scooter Backlog

The suspension order, issued in early November 2025, follows a massive surge in customer grievances. According to P. Pravimal Abhishek, Director of Transport (Goa), the department was forced to act after repeated warnings to the company went unheeded.

• Service Center Collapse : Inspections revealed that over 2,000 Ola S1 scooters were lying unattended at service centers across Goa.

• Delays : Customers reported their vehicles were stuck for months due to a critical shortage of spare parts and technicians.

• Repeated Offense : This is not the first instance; a similar backlog occurred in November 2024. Although Ola Electric cleared that backlog after a warning, the situation relapsed severely in late 2025.

The Government’s Strict Stance

The Goa government has taken a two-pronged approach to penalize the EV giant and protect consumers :

1. Immediate Block on Sales : By barring access to the VAHAN portal, dealers cannot register new vehicles, making it legally impossible to sell a new Ola scooter in Goa.

2. Legal Aid for Customers : The Transport Department has offered free legal assistance to aggrieved customers to file formal complaints in consumer courts against the manufacturer.

"It is unfortunate that the same issue has surfaced again. We will take a decision on whether to revoke the suspension only after a physical inspection confirms that all customer concerns have been addressed." — P. Pravimal Abhishek, Director of Transport, Goa

Ola Electric’s Response & Recovery Plan

Following the suspension, Ola Electric representatives met with state officials to present a recovery roadmap. The company has promised to:

• Increase service staff strength in Goa by 8x.

• Expedite the shipment of critical spare parts to clear the 2,000-vehicle backlog.

However, the state remains firm: the ban will not be lifted based on promises alone. A specialized RTO team will inspect the service centers to verify the ground reality before VAHAN access is restored.

Impact on the EV Market

This incident highlights a growing "Service vs. Sales" disparity in the Indian EV market. While sales numbers are often celebrated, the infrastructure to support these vehicles is struggling to keep pace.

For Ola Electric, which is already facing scrutiny from the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) for similar issues nationwide, this state-level ban sets a dangerous precedent that other states could follow if service standards do not improve immediately.

Key Takeaways for EV Buyers

• Status in Goa : You currently cannot register a new Ola Electric scooter in Goa.

• Existing Owners : If your vehicle is stuck in service, the Transport Department is actively accepting complaints and providing legal aid.

• Market Watch : This event serves as a reminder to check local service center reviews before purchasing an EV, regardless of the brand's national popularity.