The ever-increasing hype of EVs in India took a backseat recently with the videos of certain electric two-wheelers bursting into flames spread on the internet like a wildfire. In a similar wake, Okinawa Autotech has issued a voluntary recall in India, marking a first for any EV manufacturer in the country. In a statement issued by Okinawa, it has issued a recall for 3,215 units of the Praise Pro scooter. This development is a follow-up to the unfortunate incident of an Okinawa scooter going up in flames, claiming the lives of a man as well as his thirteen-year-old daughter.
Official Statement
This is what the official statement read: “The batteries will be checked for loose connectors or any damage and be repaired free of charge at any of the Okinawa authorised dealerships pan India. The electric 2W maker is working closely with the dealer partners to ensure that the repair experience is per the convenience of its customers, for which the vehicle owners will be contacted individually. This voluntary campaign is in the wake of the recent thermal incident and in line with the company’s long-standing commitment to customer safety.”
Recent events surrounding Okinawa include the incident that happened on April 16 in Tamil Nadu where an Okinawa dealership erupted in flames. Reports suggest that the source of the fire was boiled down to an electric scooter that was parked inside the dealership. While no one was harmed in this incident, the overall damage caused to the dealership is yet to be ascertained.
Last month, an Ola Electric scooter too caught fire in Pune, forcing the authorities to launch a probe to investigate the matter. The Road Transport Ministry roped in the help of the Centre for Fire Explosive and Environment Safety (CFEES), a subsidiary unit that works under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). While conclusive reasons behind these mishaps are yet to be determined, industry experts are believing that it might be because of the scorching heat our country is experiencing now and partly because of the hardware and software defects synonymous with EVs as well.
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