EV Fires: Gadkari calls for recall; penalty for defaulting companies

The Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari on Thursday confirmed that the government has constituted an expert committee to enquire into the recent incidents of electric two-wheelers catching fire and will soon release recommendations on remedial steps.

In a series of tweets addressing the spate of recent fire incidents in electric two-wheelers reported from across India, Gadkari said, "if any company is found negligent in their processes, a heavy penalty will be imposed, and a recall of all defective vehicles will also be ordered."

Meanwhile, the Indian electric two-wheeler companies have started to issue recalls of the electric vehicles following reports of mishaps, serious injuries, and loss of lives due to EV battery fires.

By mid-April, Gurgaon-based Okinawa Autotech voluntarily recalled 3,215 Praise Pro electric scooters. Following the suit, Hyderabad-based EV startup, Pure EV also issued a recall of 2,000 electric scooters from the models ETRANCE+ and EPLUTO 7G of the concerned batches.

Reacting to Mr. Gadkari's tweet, regarding the need for companies to take advance action to recall all defective batches of vehicles immediately. Popular EV maker, Ola Electric also issued a recall of 1,441electric scooters.

Gadkari confirmed that based on the expert committee report the government will issue necessary orders on the defaulting companies and quality-centric guidelines for electric vehicles shall be issued soon.