Divisive Startup Kingpin, Ola's Bhavish Aggarwal, Doubles Down on EVs to Undercut Elon Musk

tech.hindustantimes.com:

When Bhavish Aggarwal arrived for a recent visit at the Ola Futurefactory, marketed as the world's largest electric two-wheeler plant, the company's founder was quick to spot a shuttered entryway that should have been left open. He immediately summoned a custodial manager, people who were present said, and meted out a punishment: run three laps around the several-acre-large plant.

Such an unsparing attitude has made Aggarwal, 37, one of India's most determined entrepreneurs but also one of its most divisive. In his twenties, the founder of India's largest ride-sharing company held off deep-pocketed rival Uber to remain the country's top brand. Now, Aggarwal wants his Ola Electric Mobility Pvt Ltd to displace Elon Musk's Tesla Inc and China's BYD Co. as the industry leader for electric vehicles by carving out a niche in lower cost designs.

But Aggarwal's relentless pace and management style have vexed some managers and board members at Ola Electric, raising concerns about safety and the business model, according to interviews with more than two dozen former and current employees, who asked for anonymity out of concern for reprisals. Supply chain problems have delayed two-wheelers. Sales have slowed. Some customers complain that scooters catch on fire, have faulty batteries or accident-causing software, spurring product recalls and apologies on Twitter. Around three dozen senior executives working across Aggarwal's two billion-dollar companies — Ola Electric and ANI Technologies Pvt, which runs Ola's ride-hailing operations — have quit within a year or two of joining, a higher turnover rate than peers.

Late last year, as internal challenges mounted and the global investment climate cooled, Aggarwal paused an initial