Tata Nexon EV Fire: Investigation On, Govt’s Next Measure For EVs Awaited

Legacy automobile giant Tata Motors is the latest to join the elaborate list of companies whose electric vehicles (EVs) caught fire in India in the recent past. Days back, a Tata Nexon four-wheeler EV caught fire in Mumbai.

While the increasing number of fire incidents in escooters have been reported in the country since the beginning of this year, this is the first instance where a four-wheeler EV fire was reported. 

“A detailed investigation is currently being conducted to ascertain the facts of the recent isolated thermal incident that is doing the rounds on social media,” said Tata Motors in a statement.

“We will share a detailed response after our complete investigation. We remain committed to the safety of our vehicles and their users. This is a first incident after more than 30,000 EVs have cumulatively covered over 100 million km across the country in nearly 4 years,” added the automobile manufacturer.

Meanwhile, in a swift response to the incident, the government has already ordered an independent enquiry into the incident.

As per a PTI report, a senior Road Transport and Highways Ministry official told the news agency that it has ordered an independent enquiry to investigate the Nexon EV fire incident.

The Centre for Fire Explosive and Environment Safety (CFEES), the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) body that was already involved in investigating the past EV fire incidents have reportedly been asked to probe the circumstances leading to the incident.

Besides CFEES, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam are also a part of the investigation. The Ministry has asked these bodies to also suggest remedial measures.

Tata Nexon made several headlines recently after the EV became one of the top-selling SUVs in the country, competing with the ICE four-wheelers.

With sales of 14,248 units in fiscal 2022, Tata Nexon achieved the top-most position in terms of SUV sales in the country.

In fact, a few Tata Nexon users that Inc42 interacted with have always vouched for the car’s safety, design, and ease of use. With the increasing fire incidents associated with escooters from companies such as Ola Electric, Okinawa Autotech, Pure EV, and several other players, the industry veterans and experts were of the opinion that companies like Tata Motors are the proof that EVs are safe.

Ola Electric CEO Bhavish Aggarwal, who has been directly and indirectly attacked by various other industry leaders for the Ola escooter safety incidents and other issues, has tweeted following the incident saying, “EV fires will happen. Happens in all global products too. EV fires are much less frequent than ICE fires.”

Incidentally, Ola Electric is also planning to soon launch its four-wheeler EV. Reportedly planned for a late-2023 launch, Aggarwal said at an event recently that more details about Ola cars would be revealed on August 15.

Meanwhile, as the fire incidents keep seeing an uptick with even trusted brands such as Tata Motors, Hero Electric and Ampere Electric Vehicles also joining the list, the government is also introducing stricter policies.

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has now reportedly released the performance standards for EV batteries in the country.

The standard IS 17855: 2022 has been formulated for lithium-ion traction battery packs and systems of electrically-propelled road vehicles and it has been harmonised with ISO 12405-4: 2018,” a senior official of the Consumer Affairs Ministry told PTI.

Now is the time to see how this Tata Nexon’s first fire incident would affect the rest of the industry and further lead to changing policies.

Note: We at Inc42 take our ethics very seriously. More information about it can be found here.