EV expansion in India is linked to battery safety and efficiency, say experts
Electric vehicles (EVs) have become popular because of several reasons, including zero tailpipe emission, which reduces pollution, and gives better fuel efficiency, which keeps customers’ expenses down.
According to the latest Vahan data, EV sales stood at 178,948 units in July, marking a strong year-on-year increase of 53%. This is also the second-best performing month for EV sales in the calendar year to date, after March of FY2024 at 213,036 units, showing buoyant interest among buyers.
However, EVs have also been in the news every now and then for catching fires and other problems. These raise significant concerns about the trustworthiness of EV technology, depressing its growth in India.
A recent incident in Incheon, South Korea, demonstrates that even premium electric cars face problems: On August 1, 2024, a Mercedes-Benz EV using Farasis Energy’s batteries caught fire and damaged some 140 cars. It took eight hours to extinguish the fire that broke out in an apartment’s underground parking lot where the car was parked, forcing some residents to seek medical care and shelter elsewhere.
The situation demonstrates the consequences of pushing new technologies without fully considering its implications, experts say. Despite the progress, EV technology is still in a critical phase of development, with companies continuously experimenting and refining their products to improve safety and efficiency, they add.
“The recent incident must serve as an alarm for the government and companies, as we are still at an
