E-Scooters Fire Case: Government’s primary report cites battery cell/design as reason for fire incidents - sources

The preliminary report of the inquiry committee formed by the government has listed a few reasons to understand the fire incidents related to electric two-wheelers, Zee Business Correspondent Ambarish Pandey said in a report quoting sources on Sunday. 

According to sources, the battery cell/design has been cited as the main reason for the fire, the report noted. The inquiry committee has found defects at the cell and design levels in all the fire incidents. 

It should be noted the fire incidents were mainly seen in e-scooter makers such as Ola, Okinawa, Boom Motor, Pure EV, and Jitendra EV.  

Taking Suo Moto cognizance, Ola has recalled 1441 e-scooters so that it can examine these scooters. Ola Electric has said that our engineers are thoroughly examining these scooters. They will check the battery system, thermal system to safety system. 

Similarly, Electric 2W company Pure EV has also decided to recall its 2000 two-wheelers (pure EV e-scooters). This has been decided to keep in mind the reasons behind the fire in an electric scooter in two-wheelers. According to the company, the ETRANCE+ and EPLUTO 7G models have been recalled. 

Last month, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari urged the companies to take immediate steps to bring back the faulty vehicles. 

The minister said that the country's EV industry has just started functioning, and the government does not want to create any hurdles for them. But security is the top priority for the government, and there can be no compromise with human life. 

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