The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) that was tasked with investigating into EV fire incidents by the Union Road Transport and Highways Ministry, has
found serious defects in the batteries, including designs of the battery packs and modules.The Centre for Fire, Explosive and Environment
Safety (CFEES) at the DRDO has submitted its fact-finding report to the Ministry, as first reported by Business Standard.
According to the sources, the ministry has now summoned representatives of these EV manufacturers, asking them to submit an explanation on the DRDO report findings.Earlier this month, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), which comes under the Union Consumer Affairs Ministry, sent notices to Pure EV and Boom Motors after their e-scooters exploded in April.
The consumer watchdog is also examining more cases of e-scooter fires and will serve similar notices to other EV makers too.
Pure EV and Boom Motors along with Ola Electric, Jitendra EV, and Okinawa Autotech, recalled faulty batches after the EV fire inci-
dents were reported.
The preliminary findings from the government-constituted probe committee on EV fires have already identified issues with battery cells or
design in nearly all of the electric two-wheel-
er fire incidents in the country.
The committee was constituted in the wake of EV fires and battery blasts in e-scooters.The experts found defects in battery cells as well as battery design in nearly all EV fires.
The government is now working on new quality-centric guidelines for EVs that will be
unveiled soon. At least 12 electric two-wheel-
ers have exploded till now and several EV
makers have recalled the faulty batches amid
the growing pressure from the government.
