EV fire incidents: CCPA issues notices to 4-5 EV manufacturers

Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) on Tuesday took suo moto cognizance of consumers' complaints regarding a series of battery explosions in Electric Vehicles (EVs) and issued notices to at least five manufacturers, according to a Zee Business report.

"We have issued notices to 4-5 companies. We have asked them to provide reasons for a series of fire incidents in EVs and why the regulator should not take action against them," CCPA Chief Commissioner Nidhi Khare told reporters.

The consumer protection regulator also said that the authority will commence the hearing on the matter soon.

The CCPA chief also mentioned that it has asked the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), which was tasked with investigating EV fire incidents by the Union Road Transport and Highways ministry, to submit its report.

The regulator chief also pointed out that the other concerned ministries are also examining this issue.

The loss of life has been reported due to EV fire incidents. The rising cases of EVs catching fire have raised doubts about whether the products sold passed the standard testing manuals, CCPA chief said. She added that the regulator has received several complaints and took suo moto cognizance. 

Among the manufacturers that have reported the maximum cases of EV fires include Jitendra EV, Pure EV and Okinawa. While Jitendra EV has reported 20 incidents, Pure EV and Okinawa have reported three cases each.

Ola EV decided to recall 1,441 e-scooters after it reported an incident of fire. Okinawa EV too has recalled several vehicles.  

Besides, there was also a fire incident case related to Tata Nexon EV, a passenger vehicle – both the company and the government is investigating the matter.

Similarly, Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has also issued a standard for batteries to be used in EVs. The standards will be issued for two, three and four-wheeler vehicles soon and will be mandatory for imported batteries and electric vehicle companies.