Ola Electric under Fire for allegedly Inflated EV Sales Figures

New Delhi, India (Urban Transport News): After BluSmart’s controversy, it’s now Ola Electric—led by Bhavish Aggarwal—facing serious questions over allegedly fudged sales data in India’s electric vehicle (EV) sector. In what appears to be a textbook case of channel stuffing, Ola’s claims of market dominance are now under scrutiny by both the public and regulatory authorities.

In February 2025, Ola Electric claimed to have sold over 25,000 electric scooters, capturing 28% market share in India’s EV two-wheeler space. However, data from the VAHAN portal paints a starkly different picture: only 8,628 Ola scooters were officially registered during the same period.

The discrepancy isn’t minor—over two-thirds of the claimed "sales" were unregistered, and many units hadn’t even left the factory.

Inflated Numbers and Unreleased Models

Digging deeper, Ola reportedly counted 10,866 Gen 3 scooters and 1,395 Roadster X motorcycles—vehicles not yet delivered or even launched—in its February sales figures. Experts say this is a classic example of channel stuffing, where companies push inventory into the distribution channel or count unsold units to artificially inflate sales.

Ola attributed the mismatch to “paid and confirmed orders” and its ongoing transition to in-house registration, but such justifications don’t align with the Central Motor Vehicles Act, which clearly states that a vehicle is considered sold only upon registration in the buyer’s name.

Regulatory Scrutiny Begins

The Ministry of Heavy Industries has taken note of the growing concerns and has sought explanations from Ola Electric, warning of potential action if such discrepancies persist. Misreporting sales not only misleads investors and policymakers but also distorts the true picture of India’s rapidly evolving EV landscape.

A Threat to EV Sector Credibility?

As India aims to position itself as a global EV leader, industry experts warn that credibility is everything. Incidents like these—alongside previous controversies involving companies like Gensol Group and BluSmart—threaten to undermine public trust and derail the momentum of the clean mobility movement.

While flashy marketing and aggressive targets have fueled excitement, transparency and accountability will be key to India’s EV revolution. Inflated figures might win headlines in the short term—but they risk long-term damage to both company reputation and sectoral progress.

India’s EV journey must be built on real numbers, not manufactured hype.