In a recent incident, an Ola electric scooter caught fire in the Panavoor village of Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram district. The incident occurred last week, but the exact cause of the fire remains unclear. The local authorities have initiated investigations into the matter, and the Nedumangad Police Station has lodged a First Information Report (FIR). According to the FIR, the fire broke out around 3 AM on July 19, damaging the vehicle parked in a garage, resulting in damages amounting to INR 4.49 lakh, including the destruction of a television.
Ola Electric Conducts Preliminary Probe
Sources close to Ola Electric have revealed that a preliminary investigation into the incident has been launched. Interestingly, the battery of the electric vehicle involved in the fire was still intact after the incident. Ola Electric is actively looking into the matter and may issue an official statement in response to the incident.
Controversies Surrounding Ola Electric
This is not the first time Ola has faced controversies related to EV fires. Last year, a video went viral showing an Ola electric scooter on fire in Pune, sparking concerns about the safety of indigenously-made EVs. Subsequent incidents of EV fires have surfaced, and the company has also faced complaints about issues with its regenerative braking system. Despite these challenges, Ola has continued to lead in EV registrations, even as the overall EV market faced a downturn due to the FAME-II subsidy issue.
Potential Impact on Ola Electric’s Image and Expansion Plans
The recent incident could potentially cast a gloomy shadow over Ola Electric’s fortunes, particularly as the company prepares for a potential $1 billion public listing. Ola Electric aims to expand its production capacity from 2 million to 10 million scooters annually, despite relatively low sales figures last year. The incident also comes at a time when EV registrations in the country have seen a significant decline.
Ola Electric’s Aggressive Plans Amidst Potential EV Boom
Notwithstanding the recent incident, Ola Electric has aggressive plans to capitalize on the potential EV boom in India. The company operates in the larger Indian two-wheeler EV segment, which is projected to witness significant growth, reaching a sales volume of 22 million by 2030. Despite the challenges and controversies, Ola remains focused on its expansion and growth strategies within the booming EV market.
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