The battery of an electric two-wheeler exploded while it was being charged during the Ramadugu ceremony in the Karimnagar district here, although no one was injured in the incident, police said on Monday.
They said the incident happened on Sunday night in the village of Ramachandrapur when the owner of the electric scooter left the two-wheeler outside his home to charge it when its battery suddenly exploded.
Several parts of the vehicle were burned after the explosion, police said.
As no one was present at the time of the incident, no one was injured, police said, adding that no complaints had been received so far.
Last month, an 80-year-old man died and three members of his family were burned when the battery of a plugged-in electric scooter exploded at their home in the Nizamabad district, police said.
These incidents came to light a few days after Union Minister Nitin Gadkari urge Companies must take action first to recall all defective vehicles, even if he says there are some problems with EV batteries as temperatures rise during the months of March, April and May. Minister of Transport Roads and Highways also acknowledges that the country’s electric vehicle industry is “just getting started” and emphasizes that the government does not want to put up barriers.
“But safety is the highest priority for the government and there can be no compromise with human life.” Gadkari said at the Raisina Dialogue.
His comment makes sense in the context of many incidents of Electric Vehicles (EVs) catching fire and resulting in death and serious injury to people.
In an interactive session, Gadkari reiterated that companies can take action ahead of time to recall all batches of defective vehicles immediately.
He said: “In March to April – May, the temperature rises, then there are some problems with the battery (of the electric vehicle.) I feel that it (the electric two-wheeler caught on fire) was caused by the temperature. (tall),” he said.
The Minister of Road Transport and Highways noted that the government wants to make electric vehicles popular.
“We understand that the electric vehicle industry is just getting started.
Last week, Gadkari, who is known for his outspoken views, said that companies found to be negligent would be fined and that a recall of all defective vehicles would be required upon receipt of the report. of an expert panel was formed to investigate the matter. .
The government ordered an investigation last month after an e-scooter was launched by the ride-hailing operator Ola’s Electric mobile arm caught fire in Pune.
According to the Ministry of Road Transport, the Center for Fire Safety and Environment (CFEES) has been asked to investigate the circumstances leading up to the incident and also recommend remedial measures. The department has also asked CFEES to share its findings along with its recommendations for measures to prevent such incidents.
