Ola Electric announced a restructuring effort, including a decision to lay off 5% of its workforce, as reported by Reuters. The company aims to enhance speed and discipline by increasing automation across its front-end operations, thereby creating a “leaner organisation” designed to foster long-term, profitable growth. This move comes as sales at Ola Electric, which has yet to post a profit, experienced a decline through much of fiscal 2026, facing competition from rivals such as Ather Energy and established players like TVS Motor and Bajaj Auto. A previous round of job cuts at the SoftBank-backed firm occurred in March 2025.

In other developments, Ola Electric Mobility Ltd named Deepak Rastogi as its new Chief Financial Officer. This appointment follows the resignation of Harish Abichandani, who cited personal reasons for stepping down. The company’s board approved Rastogi’s appointment at its meeting on January 19, 2025. He officially assumed the role of CFO, along with responsibilities as a key managerial and senior management personnel, effective January 20, 2026. Abichandani’s resignation from the CFO position became effective at the close of January 19, 2026.

Furthermore, Ola Electric announced on January 16 that it has received certification and a licence from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for Ola Shakti. This innovative system operates on a 6kW/9.1 kWh battery pack, powered by its 4680 Bharat Cell. Ola Shakti is distinguished as the country’s first residential Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) that has been entirely designed, engineered, and manufactured in India.

The certification process for Ola Shakti involved extensive and rigorous testing. This included comprehensive electrical and mechanical safety evaluations, such as checks for short-circuit and overload protection, adherence to fire and thermal safety measures, and safeguards against electric shock. Additionally, the system underwent environmental stress tests, sonic pressure hazard evaluations, and mechanical hazard assessments, all meticulously performed in compliance with BIS norms.

A company spokesperson highlighted the significance of this achievement, stating that with the BIS certification of Shakti 9.1kWh, Ola Electric is prepared to deliver its initial residential BESS units. This represents a crucial step in the company’s mission to redefine how India stores and consumes energy. The spokesperson emphasized that Ola Shakti is poised to provide reliable, affordable, and smart energy storage solutions to homes, farms, and businesses nationwide, asserting that it is more than just a product, but a “cornerstone of India’s journey toward energy self-reliance and a future driven by clean, decentralised, and on-demand power.” The company also affirmed that Ola Shakti offers automotive-grade safety, high efficiency, and zero running and maintenance costs.