Why do electric two-wheelers catch fire?
In India, scooters have always been an important mode of transportation due to the large number of crowded cities. The EV revolution was thus expected to be started by electric scooters. To some extent, two wheelers have done that. However, the recent spate of fires has seriously dented people’s trust in electric scooters. So why are so many electric scooter catching fire? In today’s article, let’s find out.
Issues with battery
EVs are relatively simpler to produce. But the battery pack is a completely different ball game. It is complex and the vehicle’s overall safety depends on the efficiency of the battery management system. India does not produce lithium-ion cells of its own and manufacturers here export them from China. This leads to quality issues as there are no regulations in place.
Electric scooter fire – Environment
Li-ion batteries are used in all our daily gadgets like smartphones, power banks and laptops. But the ones in electric scooters are a bit more complex. For starters, they are three to four times bigger than other household appliances. Then there is also the environment as they are exposed to high temperatures, water, dust, humidity and vibrations.
Less interest from established players
Established players are not yet fully committed to the EV space. This has left the field open for startups and new players. We are also seeing a lot of new companies that source kits from China – the world’s largest electric market. Not all manufacturers are playing the long game. Some are here just for short term gains, leading to quality issues.
Electric scooter fire – Government’s response
The spate of fires has also altered government agencies. The Road Transport Ministry has asked the Centre for Fire Explosive and Environment Safety (CFEES) to investigate the causes. CFEES is the defence laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). With government now in the scene, we expect a regulatory system to be put in place and ultimately, a reduction in number of such cases. Once this happens, electric two wheelers will become more trustable and reliable.
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