What are the Reasons Behind Electric Vehicles Catching Fire in India?
Indian E-Scooter Fire Incidents and Reasons:
At least four documented incidents of two-wheeler electric cars built by Ola, Okinawa, and Pure EV, among others bursting into flames in the previous five days have brought to light safety concerns about such vehicles, particularly the batteries that power them.
EVs are powered by lithium-ion batteries, which are similar to those found in cell phones and smartwatches and are thought to be more efficient and lighter than their predecessors. As illustrated by previous occurrences, they may also represent a fire hazard.
Nitin Gadkari, the Union Road Transport Minister, issued a warning to electric vehicle makers on Thursday, advising them to take "prompt action" in recalling all defective batches of vehicles. He also stated that the government would soon announce quality-centric standards for EVs. His remarks come after over a dozen electric scooters caught fire around the country, killing at least four people thus far.
How Many EV Fires Cases Have Occurred in India so far?
Over a dozen electric scooters, including those made by Ola Electric, Okinawa, Pure EV, and Jitendra EV, have caught fire in the last few weeks. In March, an Ola Electric scooter parked on the side of a busy commercial district in Pune caught fire. A guy and his 13-year-old daughter were killed when an Okinawa scooter caught fire later that month.
A 40-year-old man died on Saturday in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, in a similar incident in his living room, days after an electric vehicle's battery detonated, killing an 80-year-old man in Telangana's Nizamabad district. According to police, the victim, 40-year-old Kotakonda Siva Kumar, purchased the scooter on Friday.
Around 3.30 a.m., the Boom Corbett 14 scooter's battery exploded at Kumar's home in Gulabi Thota. Kumar had begun charging the battery at 10 p.m. before going to sleep, according to NV Suryanarayana, station house officer of Suryaraopet police station in Vijayawada, informed indianexpress.com. According to him, a fire broke out in the living room as a result of the explosion, and smoke immediately covered the area.
More than 20 electric scooters built by Jitendra EV caught fire earlier this month while being transported from the company's facility in Nashik, in what could be the largest such fire ever. An electric scooter manufactured by Pure EV caught fire in Telangana's Nizamabad on Wednesday, killing an 80-year-old man when the battery detonated.
The firms have stated that they are looking into the causes of the scooter fires. Aside from that, Pure EV has issued a recall for 2,000 of its electric scooters, while Okinawa has issued a recall for over 3,000 of its electric vehicles to check for potential safety hazards.
Over a dozen electric scooters, including those made by Ola Electric, Okinawa, Pure EV, and Jitendra EV, have caught fire in the last few weeks. In March, an Ola Electric scooter parked on the side of a busy commercial district in Pune caught fire. A guy and his 13-year-old daughter were killed when an Okinawa scooter caught fire later that month.
A 40-year-old man died on Saturday in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, in a similar incident in his living room, days after an electric vehicle's battery detonated, killing an 80-year-old man in Telangana's Nizamabad district. According to police, the victim, 40-year-old Kotakonda Siva Kumar, purchased the scooter on Friday.
Around 3.30 a.m., the Boom Corbett 14 scooter's battery exploded at Kumar's home in Gulabi Thota. Kumar had begun charging the battery at 10 p.m. before going to sleep, according to NV Suryanarayana, station house officer of Suryaraopet police station in Vijayawada, informed indianexpress.com. According to him, a fire broke out in the living room as a result of the explosion, and smoke immediately covered the area.
More than 20 electric scooters built by Jitendra EV caught fire earlier this month while being transported from the company's facility in Nashik, in what could be the largest such fire ever. An electric scooter manufactured by Pure EV caught fire in Telangana's Nizamabad on Wednesday, killing an 80-year-old man when the battery detonated.
The firms have stated that they are looking into the causes of the scooter fires. Aside from that, Pure EV has issued a recall for 2,000 of its electric scooters, while Okinawa has issued a recall for over 3,000 of its electric vehicles to check for potential safety hazards.
What is the Response of the Indian Government and Union Ministry of Road and Transport Regarding the EVs Fire?
Gadkari's comments marked the first time he recognized the country's EV blunders. "Several accidents involving electric two-wheelers have occurred over the last two months," Gadkari wrote on Twitter. "It is tragic that some individuals have died from these accidents and others have been injured."
The Road Transport Ministry authorised an investigation into the occurrences last month and enlisted the help of the Centre for Fire, Explosive, and Environmental Safety (CFEES) to look into the accidents and make recommendations. On Thursday, Gadkari stated that if any EV manufacturers are found to be "negligent in their procedure," the government will impose severe penalties and compel a recall of all of their defective EVs.
Gadkari's comments marked the first time he recognized the country's EV blunders. "Several accidents involving electric two-wheelers have occurred over the last two months," Gadkari wrote on Twitter. "It is tragic that some individuals have died from these accidents and others have been injured."The Road Transport Ministry authorised an investigation into the occurrences last month and enlisted the help of the Centre for Fire, Explosive, and Environmental Safety (CFEES) to look into the accidents and make recommendations. On Thursday, Gadkari stated that if any EV manufacturers are found to be "negligent in their procedure," the government will impose severe penalties and compel a recall of all of their defective EVs.
What Exactly are Lithium-ion Batteries and How do They Function?
Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are the most common battery type today, powering millions of consumer goods around the world, from electric automobiles to smartphones to laptops. The Li-ion battery contains anodes, cathodes, separators, electrolytes, and two current collectors. In an automatic lithium battery, lithium ions are transported from the anode to the cathode and back through a separator, with the electrolyte acting as a transport medium.
The mobility of the lithium ions in the anode produces free electrons, which generate a charge at the positive current collector. The lightweight, high energy density, and ability to recharge distinguish Li-ion batteries from other types, making them better suitable for items like electric cars and smartphones. In addition, as compared to lead-acid batteries, Li-ion batteries have a longer lifespan.
In comparison to a lead-acid battery, which can only store roughly 25 watts-hour per kg, a Li-ion battery can store 150 watts-hour per kg. Simply put, Li-ion batteries are more efficient than other battery types while maintaining a product's compact form factor. This means that an electric automobile equipped with Li-ion batteries will have a longer range, and smartphones will last longer throughout the day.
However, one of the Li-ion batteries' main advantages — their tremendous energy density — could also be one of the batteries' undoing factors. According to a blog post by Ather Energy, a two-wheel EV manufacturer, Li-ion batteries' high energy density causes them to become unstable under certain conditions, causing them to malfunction. They're most effective when they're kept inside a certain working range. To ensure that Li-ion batteries work securely, a battery management system (BMS) is installed.
Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are the most common battery type today, powering millions of consumer goods around the world, from electric automobiles to smartphones to laptops. The Li-ion battery contains anodes, cathodes, separators, electrolytes, and two current collectors. In an automatic lithium battery, lithium ions are transported from the anode to the cathode and back through a separator, with the electrolyte acting as a transport medium.The mobility of the lithium ions in the anode produces free electrons, which generate a charge at the positive current collector. The lightweight, high energy density, and ability to recharge distinguish Li-ion batteries from other types, making them better suitable for items like electric cars and smartphones. In addition, as compared to lead-acid batteries, Li-ion batteries have a longer lifespan.
In comparison to a lead-acid battery, which can only store roughly 25 watts-hour per kg, a Li-ion battery can store 150 watts-hour per kg. Simply put, Li-ion batteries are more efficient than other battery types while maintaining a product's compact form factor. This means that an electric automobile equipped with Li-ion batteries will have a longer range, and smartphones will last longer throughout the day.
However, one of the Li-ion batteries' main advantages — their tremendous energy density — could also be one of the batteries' undoing factors. According to a blog post by Ather Energy, a two-wheel EV manufacturer, Li-ion batteries' high energy density causes them to become unstable under certain conditions, causing them to malfunction. They're most effective when they're kept inside a certain working range. To ensure that Li-ion batteries work securely, a battery management system (BMS) is installed.
What is a battery management system, and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
A BMS is an electrical system that monitors the voltage and current going through all of the cells in a Li-ion battery pack. A BMS is also equipped with a number of temperature sensors that provide it with data on the temperature of various parts of the battery pack. All of this information assists the BMS in determining various battery pack parameters such as charging and discharging rates, battery life cycle, and efficiency.
A BMS is an electrical system that monitors the voltage and current going through all of the cells in a Li-ion battery pack. A BMS is also equipped with a number of temperature sensors that provide it with data on the temperature of various parts of the battery pack. All of this information assists the BMS in determining various battery pack parameters such as charging and discharging rates, battery life cycle, and efficiency.
Why Were the Batteries on the Ola, Okinawa, and Other EVs Catching Fire?
The exact cause of the fires in the Ola and Okinawa EVs is unknown at this time since the firms have stated that they are looking into the situation. Okinawa, on the other hand, claimed that the fire in its scooter was caused by short-circuiting due to "negligence in charging the vehicle" based on early observations based on "reliable sources, the media, and local officials."
These cases, on the other hand, serve as a sobering warning of the dangers of Li-ion battery pack problems. According to industry experts, these batteries could catch fire for a variety of reasons, including manufacturing flaws, external damage, or errors in the BMS deployment. In Li-ion battery packs, however, temperature plays a crucial role, according to experts. “In general, Li-ion batteries work better at warmer temperatures, but extremely high temperatures can cause the battery pack to reach temperatures similar to 90-100 degrees, which is when become highly flammable,” said an EV manufacturer representative who requested anonymity.
Aside from that, EVs and electronic devices have battery packs that contain hundreds of batteries. Due to the fact that Li-ion batteries are tightly packed into battery packs, even a small malfunction could cause a chain reaction that leads to a fire. This action is known as a thermal runaway, and it is the reason why Li-ion batteries spontaneously combust, according to scientists.
A battery pack damaged by previous accidents may catch fire after a few charging cycles. In response to the recent accidents, Tarun Mehta, creator of Ather Energy, claimed in a media interview that manufacturers are not spending enough time designing goods and that government-mandated real-life scenarios may not be adequately tested by testing standards.
This Blog is Based on the Following Sources:
The Hindu Business
Indian Express
New Indian Express
News 18
Deccan Herald
Economic Times
Times of India
Youtube India
The exact cause of the fires in the Ola and Okinawa EVs is unknown at this time since the firms have stated that they are looking into the situation. Okinawa, on the other hand, claimed that the fire in its scooter was caused by short-circuiting due to "negligence in charging the vehicle" based on early observations based on "reliable sources, the media, and local officials."
These cases, on the other hand, serve as a sobering warning of the dangers of Li-ion battery pack problems. According to industry experts, these batteries could catch fire for a variety of reasons, including manufacturing flaws, external damage, or errors in the BMS deployment. In Li-ion battery packs, however, temperature plays a crucial role, according to experts. “In general, Li-ion batteries work better at warmer temperatures, but extremely high temperatures can cause the battery pack to reach temperatures similar to 90-100 degrees, which is when become highly flammable,” said an EV manufacturer representative who requested anonymity.
Aside from that, EVs and electronic devices have battery packs that contain hundreds of batteries. Due to the fact that Li-ion batteries are tightly packed into battery packs, even a small malfunction could cause a chain reaction that leads to a fire. This action is known as a thermal runaway, and it is the reason why Li-ion batteries spontaneously combust, according to scientists.
A battery pack damaged by previous accidents may catch fire after a few charging cycles. In response to the recent accidents, Tarun Mehta, creator of Ather Energy, claimed in a media interview that manufacturers are not spending enough time designing goods and that government-mandated real-life scenarios may not be adequately tested by testing standards.
This Blog is Based on the Following Sources:
The Hindu Business
Indian Express
New Indian Express
News 18
Deccan Herald
Economic Times
Times of India
Youtube India
Electric Vehicles Catching Fire Ola Electric Okinawa Pure EV and Jitendra EV Union Ministry of Road Lithium ion Batteries
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