Amid the recent fire incidents in electric two-wheelers, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday urged companies to take immediate steps to bring back defective vehicles.
He said that with the mercury rising in March, April and May, there is some problem with the battery of electric vehicles (EV). The Road Transport and Highways Minister said that the country’s electric vehicle industry has just started functioning and the government does not want to create any hurdle for them.
“But safety is the most important thing for the government and there can be no compromise with human life,” he said. Some people died in these incidents while some were seriously injured. Speaking at an event, Gadkari said that companies can take immediate steps to bring back defective vehicles to repair them.
He said, “The mercury rises in March, April and May. In such a situation, there is some problem with the EV battery. I think the fire in electric two-wheelers is related to the mercury rising.” The minister said the government wants to popularize EVs.
Gadkari said, “We understand that the electric vehicle industry has just started functioning. We don’t want to create any obstacle for him. But security is the top priority for the government and there can be no compromise with human life.
Last week, Gadkari had said that companies found to be negligent in this matter would be punished. After receiving the report of the expert committee constituted to investigate the matter, orders will be given to recall the batch whose vehicles are defective.
The government had ordered a probe last month after the Pune electric scooter incident of Ola caught fire. The ministry has asked the CEFS center to investigate the circumstances that led to the fire. Along with this, it has been asked to suggest measures to prevent it. The ministry has asked CFIS to suggest steps to be taken to prevent such incidents.