Why Has Ola Along With Okinawa and Pure EV, Recalled Over 6,600 Units?

Usually speaking, the EV space, regardless of whether in a fully developed nation or a developing one, is marked by unsullied excitement and great anticipation. And truth be told, there is not an awful big reason to be surprised by that.

There was a time where some of the leading destinations in the world, whether London, Paris, New York or Tokyo, to take an example, were unbothered by external elements such as pollution. Today, most of the world’s leading cities have begun to walk down the path of the green road by adopting to a framework whos central actors happen to be EV (or EVs).

More specifically speaking, where it comes to some of the world’s more populous regions, whether one looks at a Brazil or New Delhi, Mumbai or Hong Kong, then the need to adopt rigorously to an EV-led future is paramount.

In the last half a decade, what we are witnessing is a constant rise in the number of players participating in the EV ecosystem. The likes of Ola and Uber have gone green a big way, while the likes of noted Bangalore, India-based start ups such has Pravaig have also announced their arrival.

But when we talk of highly populated countries like India, then the need for EV two-wheelers is perhaps more than that of cars as majority of India’s commuting public, especially in urban centres as well as tier-two cities moves about on two-wheels.

Which is why it makes perfect sense to see new launches and enthralling products being offered by the likes of Okinawa and Ola electric in the market that’s quite frankly, peppered with new launches perhaps every new week.

But of late, there’s a thing about two-wheeler EVs that has caught the attention; perhaps owing to a technical malfunction or mechanical fault, we’ve seen different cases of EV scooters catching up fire and in some cases, going up in smoke.

A recent similar incident came to light in the heart of India, where no fewer than 6,600 units including those made by Ola, Okinawa as well as Pure EV were actually (voluntarily) recalled by the respective brands. On its part, the government rightly advised the makers to recall the defective pieces in the vehicle lots so as to mitigate or avoid any unforeseen occurrences in the course of the future.

The episode has been captured widely in the press.

All of that being told, the following are the detailed insights on the ‘burning’ subject in the EV space in India, where as it stands, not only Ola, but Pure EV and Okinawa too finds itself in a spot of bother (the same excerpts were taken from the Financial Express):

The official said Okinawa has recalled the maximum 3,215 vehicles followed by PureEV at 2,000. Ola has recalled 1,441 vehicles. Okinawa recalled the vehicles on April 16, PureEV on April 21 and Ola on April 23.

The three companies will now carry out thorough checks and rectify the problems, if found.

The official said the committee of experts comprising scientists from Centre for Fire, Explosive and Environment Safety (CFEES) and Indian Institute of Science will carry out a detailed investigation on the fire incidents. The ministry will examine their recommendations and take suitable actions.

“The committee will submit its report in due course. It has not been given any time limit,” the official said.