After several fires in electric scooters, the Ministry of Transport has issued new guidelines for electric two-wheelers. The new rules will include safety clearances, fire extinguishers and ‘fire safe’ certification from local fire departments.
see photosA new set of specific safety guidelines and regulations for electric two-wheelers to be launched soon
The electric two-wheeler space is becoming increasingly popular in India. Both established players and start-ups are introducing new electric scooters almost every other month. In short, electric scooters are on fire right now! However, it can be said both figuratively and literally. While we would have liked that this had been halted in the past, recent incidents of fires in electric scooters have raised concerns and added to the ongoing debate about the safety of electric vehicles. Carandbike has now learned that India’s Ministry of Transport is planning to come out with a new set of specific safety guidelines and regulations for electric two-wheelers.
Read also: Government orders probe into electric scooter fire
Recent incidents of electric scooter fires have raised concerns and added to the ongoing debate about the safety of electric vehicles.
According to sources, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) will soon send a circular on new rules for electric two-wheelers to all Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) and SIAM (Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers). The new rules will include the following key measures, which are currently not required as mandatory. Once an EV scooter can be sold or registered, the following (see below) must be fulfilled. Most of the rules will be applicable to both low speed and high performance EV two-wheelers.
Read also: Fire breaks out in Ola S1 Pro electric scooter in Pune
1. Fire Department Approval:
All dealers will have to get clearance from the nearest fire station and obtain a ‘Fire Safe’ certificate
All new electric two-wheelers must be approved for safety by the local fire departments at the individual state level. However, the guidelines for the same are being laid down by the Directorate General of Fire Services, Civil Defense and Home Guard, which comes under the Ministry of Home Affairs. All dealers will have to obtain clearance from the nearest fire station and obtain a ‘Fire Safe’ certificate. This certificate will have to be uploaded on the VAHAN portal of the Ministry of Transport within 45 days of applying for registration, failing which the said registration will be cancelled. “These are new rules, and we are working with MoRTH to work out the new guidelines as appropriate. They will be effective from this week,” said Grishma Krishnau, spokeswoman for DG Fire Services. Customers buying low-speed electric scooters will be exempted from this process as they do not require registration.
Read also: Fire in Pure EV electric scooter in Chennai
2. Fire Extinguisher Clamp/Housing:
If the vehicle does not have an extinguisher, the owners will be liable, and failure to have one will attract a fine of ₹ 2500.
Going forward, electric two-wheeler manufacturers are required to provide a secure housing or clamp for a small fire extinguisher on each unit. It should not affect the use of the vehicle or change its safety requirements. If the vehicle does not have a fire extinguisher, the owners will be liable, and failure to keep one will attract a fine of ₹ 2500 from the local traffic police. Vehicle manufacturers should ensure that dealers offer these portable and small-sized fire extinguishers as standard equipment. This will be mandatory when the vehicle goes to the fire station for the above certification inspection. It is too early to know whether these additional costs will be borne by the OEM or passed on to the consumer.
3. Fire Safe Certificate (FSC):
All new electric two-wheelers will now come with a ‘Fire Safe Certificate’ or FSC. Like PUC (Under Pollution Control) certificates, these FSCs will have a validity of 1 year and need to be renewed every year. RTO approved PUC kiosks at petrol pumps will double up to provide this sticker. Charging stations will also be equipped to conduct quick security checks and provide necessary stickers and new certificates.
All certifications and clearances will also be available in soft format – and users can access them through the government’s DigiLocker app.
EV owners will have to carry the above documents on their person or store them within the boot of the vehicle. The sticker should be prominently displayed on the face of the vehicle. All certifications and clearances will also be available in soft format – and users can access them through the government’s DigiLocker app. This happens in the event of a fire, where documents in the said paper format can be boarded on the vehicle in question. Additional commissioner of traffic safety, Disha Nath Gatikumar, told carandbike, “We have been brought in to accelerate on these developments, and they will be implemented across the country. We will have special training dockets for our traffic police personnel so that they are quickly informed. new rules, and police them effectively.”
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SIAM is yet to comment on these new guidelines. Sources have indicated that some more rules may be added to the above list once MoRTH and the Ministry of Home Affairs formally issue new guidelines. So far, we have been told that the circular will be posted on MoRTH India website for public on April 7, 2022. While the impact and viability of these new rules are only understood once they are in place, we think it is the right step towards better security. And yes, security is a must. It’s also important to have a little fun and keep your sense of humor intact, especially when reading an article like this one on April Fool’s Day.
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