Lok Sabha Question No. 2076 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-20
Subject: Incidents of Fire in Electric Vehicles
Ministry: HEAVY INDUSTRIES
Asked by: P. Velusamy

- (a): Yes, sir.
- (b): As  per  the  information  received  from  Ministry  of  Road  Transport  &  Highways (MoRTH),  the  prototypes  /  components  of  electric  vehicles  are  tested  by  the  test  agencies notified under Rule 126 of Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, for compliance to standards notified by MoRTH.

Further, MoRTH  had  constituted  an  investigating  team  of  independent  experts  from DRDO,  Indian  Institute  of  Science  (IISC)  Bengaluru,  and  Naval  Science  &  Technological Laboratory  (NSTL)  Visakhapatnam  to  investigate  into  the  root  cause  of  fire  and  recommend remedial measures.

Ministry of Road Transport & Highways had also constituted a committee of experts to suggest formulation of safety standards for the battery and its components, BMS and related systems in electric vehicles.  Based on the recommendation of the committee, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways vide S.O. 4567(E) dated 28 th  September, 2022 has brought amendment to the Automotive Industry Standards, AIS:156 [Specific requirements for L (a motor vehicle less than four wheels and quadricycle) category electric power train vehicles] and

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2076

ANSWERED ON 20.12.2022

## INCIDENTS OF FIRE IN ELECTRIC VEHICLES

2076. SHRI VELUSAMY P.:

Will the Minister of HEAVY INDUSTRIES भारी उद्योग मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the fact that the electric vehicles (two wheelers and cars) caught fire and burnt and also some people died due to the faulty battery;
- (b) if so, the steps taken by the Government to prevent such incidents in future;
- (c) whether some two wheeler manufacturers after the incident have called for the vehicles and one of the companies did not take any step to call for the vehicles;
- (d) whether  the  Government  will  make  any  provision  for  compensation  for  the  damaged vehicles and loss of life and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether due to the heavy cost of the battery, the electric vehicles purchasing is very slow and the purpose to control pollution is defeated and if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) whether the Government will provide subside for the vehicles purchased from supply the manufacturers and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEAVY INDUSTRIES (SHRI KRISHAN PAL GURJAR)

AIS:038 (Rev 2) [Specific Requirements for M Category, (a motor vehicle with at least  four wheels used for carrying passenger) N Category (a motor vehicle with at least four wheels used for  carrying  goods)  Electric  Power  Train  Vehicles]  to  prescribe Technical  Requirements  for Traction  Battery  of  L,  M  and  N  Category  of  Electric  Power  Train  Vehicles.    The  said Amendments are applicable from 1 st December, 2022 and some clauses of these AIS standards will be effective from 31 st March, 2023.

Further, MoRTH had issued the draft notification, vide G.S.R 659(E) dated 25 th August 2022, for the requirements of Conformity of Production (COP), in respect of all categories of Electric vehicles including Quadricycles, E- rickshaws, two wheelers and four wheelers.

(c): As per the information received from MoRTH, following Manufacturers after repeated persuasion by the Ministry have recalled vehicles: -

(i) Okinawa has recalled 3215 units of vehicles on 16 th April, 2022.

(ii) Pure EV has recalled 2000 units of vehicles on 21 st April, 2022.

(iii) Ola Electric has recalled 1441 units of vehicles on 23 rd April, 2022.

(d): No,  Sir.  There  is  no  such  proposal  is  under  consideration  in  the  Ministry  of  Heavy Industries.

(e): Yes  Sir,  high  upfront  cost  of  electric  vehicle  as  compared  to  corresponding  Internal Combustion (IC) engine vehicle is one of the reasons for slow adoption of electric vehicles in the country.

(f): Yes  Sir,  following  three  schemes  have  been  formulated  by  the  Ministry  of  Heavy Industries:

- i. Faster  Adoption  and  Manufacturing  of  Hybrid  and  Electric  Vehicles  in  India  (FAME India): The Government notified Phase-II of FAME India Scheme initially for a period of five years commencing from 1 st April, 2019 with a total budgetary support of Rs. 10,000 crore.
- ii. Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Automotive Sector: The Government on 15 th Sep. 2021 approved the PLI Scheme for Automotive Sector with a budgetary outlay of Rs. 25,938 crores. Electric vehicles are covered under this PLI scheme.
- iii. PLI Scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC): The Government on 12 th  May, 2021 approved PLI Scheme for manufacturing of ACC in the country with a budgetary outlay of  Rs.  18,100  crore.    The  scheme  envisages  to  establish  a  competitive  ACC  battery manufacturing set up in the country for 30 GWh.  Additionally, 5GWh of niche ACC technologies is also covered under the Scheme.

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