EV hearth incidents: Niti Aayog member says imported cells ‘may not be’ appropriate for Indian situations

Amid a number of incidents of electrical autos catching hearth, Niti Aayog Member and eminent scientist V Okay Saraswat has stated that battery cells imported for electrical autos “may not be” appropriate for the nation’s situations and emphasised the necessity for domestically manufacturing the cells.

His feedback additionally come in opposition to the backdrop of authorities probing such incidents and Union minister Nitin Gadkari, not too long ago, asserting that recall of all faulty autos might be ordered after the skilled panel submits its report.

In current occasions, there have been a number of incidents of Electric Vehicles (EVs) catching hearth and leading to deaths in addition to extreme accidents to individuals.

“Battery know-how is an evolving know-how. India doesn’t manufacture battery cells for the time being.

“… we should set up our own cell manufacturing plants at the earliest. We should make sure that whatever cells we manufacture are suitable for Indian conditions of high temperature,” Saraswat advised PTI.

Saraswat, who can be a former chief of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), stated the fires might have been attributable to poor high quality of cells which aren’t designed for top temperature and tropical local weather.

“What (battery) cells India is getting may not be suitable for Indian conditions… so what is important is when we import cells, we should do our own screening and rigorous testing system,” he stated.

He additionally famous that there are specific international locations which have developed cells which might function at excessive temperatures.

On whether or not the fireplace incidents might undermine India’s efforts to change into a pacesetter in EVs, Saraswat stated, “what we are seeing is that the kind of accidents which are taking place will certainly have some impact on penetration of batteries into the automobile sector”.

Recently, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, who is thought for his frank views, stated the businesses discovered negligent might be penalised and a recall of all faulty autos might be ordered after the skilled panel submits its report.

Last month, the federal government ordered a probe after an e-scooter launched by ride-hailing operator Ola’s electrical mobility arm caught hearth in Pune.

The Centre for Fire Explosive and Environment Safety (CFEES) has been requested to probe the incidents of EVs catching hearth and likewise recommend remedial measures, in accordance with the ministry.