(a) whether the Government has taken any steps to ensure extensive testing of Electric Vehicles (EVs) by the manufacturers under stringent conditions;
(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Government has levied fines on the EV manufacturers for the accidents caused due to electric vehicles catching fire; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)
(a) and (b) Safety standards notified by this Ministry from time to time are required to be complied with by vehicle manufacturers. Compliance to these Standards is verified through a testing process by the test agencies notified under Rule 126 of Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, and thereafter Type Approval Certificate is issued to only those vehicle prototypes / components which meet the specified standards.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has constituted a committee of experts to suggest formulation of safety standards for the battery and its components, BMS and related systems in electric vehicles, in the wake of recent incidents of fire in electric two wheelers.
(c) and (d) The Ministry has issued a show-cause notice to the CEOs and MDs of the concerned two wheeler electric scooter manufacturers, to explain the reasons as to why the relevant Sections of the Motor Vehicles Act should not be invoked against them. Further processing will be done on receipt of their replies.
*****