India’s green goals seem shattering with increase in incidents of e-bikes catching fire

SHAKEELA ANDRABI

SRINAGAR: Social media is flooded with videos of battery-powered scooters in flames from last few weeks. Last month, a father and daughter died from smoke inhalation after their brand-new bike from Okinawa Autotech Pvt caught fire while it was charging overnight at home. In another video, an Ola Electric Mobility Pvt scooter reduced to ashes in Pune, while in another, some 40 two-wheelers made by Jitendra EV go-up in smoke as they are transported in a container. The incidents have, not surprisingly, made many Indians wary of electric vehicles. Number of people who used to say that they wouldn’t buy an electric scooter due to safety and performance concerns jumped eightfold to 17 per cent in seven months through March, a survey of around 11,500 consumers conducted by Local Circles revealed. Just 2 per cent of people are likely to buy an electric scooter in coming six months, it added.
India, the world’s third-biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, is trying to get more electric vehicles on roads. Already many consumers are reluctant to switch over from combustion engine cars and motorcycles due to EVs high upfront cost and country’s lack of charging stations, making it increasingly difficult for India to catch-up with countries like China, US etc. “When I hear of such incidents, I wonder why I should go for an electric vehicle. I’d rather buy a new gasoline one. I want to be part of the EV revolution and stop pollution but nothing is more important than safety of my family and kids,” a 46-year-old resident from Srinagar said.
On the other hand, roads are notoriously potholed, causing all sorts of suspension problems. India currently imports most of its EV components from China, depriving automakers of full control over the quality and reliability of their products. Okinawa, in a statement issued few day back, revealed, that it had recalled 3,215 units of its Praise-Pro electric scooters to fix battery-related issues. The accidents have at least ushered in some reforms to India’s budding EV industry.
The Union Minister for Roads & Transport, Nitin Gadkari has pledged to adopt new standards to tackle fire incidents, which are likely caused due to thermal inefficiencies in lithium-ion batteries and exacerbated by hot weather. EVs should only be certified after they clear a revised testing system for battery packs and cells, he said. In the meantime, automakers should be ‘cautious’ with the cells they’re using and recall products if they discover manufacturing defects.
According to experts, the technology development and management of batteries needs to be taken very seriously. It’s important to understand that not all EVs or batteries are same and when short-cuts are adopted in their development, consumers can be exposed to potential unmitigated safety issues, they added.