EV makers Ola Electric, Okinawa under fire, Center sends message about cause of show

Alarmed by the ongoing fire incidents involving EVs, the Center has now sent alerts to EV manufacturers such as: Ola Electric† Okinawa Autotech and Pure EVincluding by warning them why no criminal action should be taken against them for delivering faulty electric two-wheelers to the public.



Reliable sources said EV manufacturers have been given until the end of July to respond in detail to the announcements.

Once the responses are in, the government will decide what criminal action should be taken against the EV makers at fault.

Last month, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), which falls under the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, has sent notices to Pure EV and Boom engines after their e-scooters exploded in April.

the ministry of road transport and Highways is also waiting for comments from EV manufacturers on display, as they will be sent to them.

The preliminary findings of the government-established EV fire investigation committee also identified battery cell or design issues in nearly all electric two-wheeler fire incidents in the country.

The experts found flaws in battery cells and battery design in nearly all EV fires.

The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), previously tasked by the Ministry of Roads and Highways to investigate fire incidents involving electric two-wheelers, also found serious defects in the batteries of electric two-wheelers.

These defects occurred because electric two-wheeler manufacturers such as Okinawa Autotech, Pure EV, Jitendra Electric Vehicles, Ola Electric and Boom Motors may have “used lower-quality materials to cut costs,” the DRDO probe had revealed.

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has now issued new performance standards for lithium-ion batteries to protect consumers amid the increasing EV fire attacks in the country.

Union Minister for Road Transport Nitin Gadkari has already warned EV makers to take strict action if found negligent.

“If a company is found negligent in their processes, it will be subject to a heavy fine and a recall of all defective vehicles will also be ordered,” he tweeted.

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