Hyderabad consumer commission orders Tata Select Motors to refund Harrier EV after repeated key and lock failures
The Hyderabad district consumer commission ruled that Tata Select Motors must take back a Tata Harrier EV and refund its price, minus 10% depreciation, after the buyer reported recurring smart-key and central-locking problems.
A partnership firm, M/s Refrigeration Equipment and Solutions, purchased a Tata Harrier EV Empowered + 75 APC in August 2025 and within days faced repeated failures to start, along with smart-key out-of-range and central-locking malfunctions. The buyer filed a complaint with the Hyderabad district consumer commission after the vehicle stalled multiple times despite dealer repairs that were attributed to a software glitch.
The commission, chaired by President B Uma Venkata Subba Lakshmi with members C Lakshmi Prasanna and B Raji Reddy, reviewed service job cards and communication logs, concluding that the problems persisted and the dealer offered no satisfactory explanation. It directed Tata Select Motors to accept the return, refund the purchase price less 10% depreciation, and pay Rs 50,000 in compensation and Rs 15,000 in costs, while denying the Rs 10 lakh punitive damages sought. The refund must be made within 45 days, with interest accruing at 9% per annum if delayed.
Why it matters
The ruling highlights consumer protection enforcement for defective electric vehicles and sets a precedent for dealer liability in India.
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