Image Source: Visual China

BEIJING, April 24 (TMTPOST) — Nitin Gadkari, the Indian Minister of Road Transport and Highways, has warned that India will impose heavy penalties on EV (electric vehicle) companies that produce low-quality EVs and pose threat to public safety.

“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,” Gadkari said Thursday on Twitter, commenting on recent incidents of EVs catching fire in India.

"Companies may take advance action to Recall all defective batches of vehicles immediately," Gadkari said. The Indian government has urged relevant companies to take compensatory measures and call back vehicles with defects.

Gadkari stressed that the Indian government would pursue thorough investigations into the recent incidents. This is the first time for the Indian government to release a clear directive to the EV industry to sort out the safety issues immediately since it has already taken many lives and destroyed several vehicles.

The two involved companies, Okinawa and PureEV, have called back some of their EVs after the fire hazards were reported. Ola, another EV maker, has not yet taken actions. The Indian government has formed an expert committee to investigate the incidents of fire and make recommendations on remedies.

“Based on the reports, we will issue necessary orders on the defaulting companies. We will soon issue quality-centric guidelines for electric vehicles,” Gadkari said.

EV safety issues have recently become a major discussion in India. Last month, at least six electric scooters along with their batteries caught fire —all within just a few days— with exact causes still to be determined.