Gadkari warns of penalties for sub-standard EV products

While NITI Aayog announced a host of sops for the fledgling EV industry in its battery swapping policy, Roads and Transport Minister, Nitin Gadkari gave a clear diktat of "no room for substandard EV products."

- Amit Vijay M

LA swami Union minister for roads and highways, Nitin Gadkari has suggested that companies can consider taking advance action to recall all defective batches of vehicles immediately. These remarks came in the aftermath of a series of fires that engulfed several electric scooter brands.

He made it clear that mandatory recalls and stiff penalties would be the norm for organizations associated with scooter fires. "If any company is found negligent in their processes, a heavy penalty will be imposed and a recall of all defective vehicles will also be ordered. Meanwhile companies may take advance action to recall all defective batches of vehicles immediately. Under the leadership of PM Shri @narendramodiji, our government is committed to ensure the safety of each and every commuter." Gadkari said in a series of tweets.

This warning came in the aftermath of e-scooter fires, the latest being that of Pure EV where an 80-year-old man died and two family members sustained burn injuries at their home in Nizamabad, Telangana. Pure EV became the second company after Okinawa to announce a recall while assuring customers that the management would "inspect the faulty batteries and recalibrate the battery management system and chargers".