Fault in short circuit protection in EV? 23,865 accidents involving e-vehicles in the country in last 3 years
New Delhi, 14 February 2026: To protect the environment and to get rid of the rising prices of petrol and diesel, the craze for electric vehicles (EV) is increasing rapidly in the country. However, this modern ride has now come under the scanner regarding safety. According to shocking figures presented in Parliament by the Union Ministry of Heavy Industries, a total of 23,865 road accidents involving EVs have been reported in the country in the last three years, out of which 26 cases have been serious incidents involving battery blast and fire.
According to the data of the ‘Electronic Accident Reporting Portal’ of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, as the sales of electric vehicles have increased, there has also been a jump in the accidents related to them. In the year 2023, there were 5594 accidents and 8 fires. Similarly, in 2024, 717 accidents and 09 fires have been registered and in 2025, 10454 accidents and nine fires have been registered.
According to experts, the main reason for EV fire is the faulty lithium-ion battery. In technical language it is called ‘thermal runaway’. This is a chemical process in which the temperature inside the battery increases suddenly and uncontrollably, which ultimately results in an explosion or severe fire. During an accident, short circuit occurs due to pressure or puncture on the battery pack. Charging at high voltage for a long time causes the battery to heat up. Cheap and low quality batteries cannot withstand the hot climate of India. Also, due to failure of the battery management system, the temperature is not controlled.
On one hand, the government is promoting the EV sector, while on the other hand, increasing accidents are creating fear among the customers. From November 14, 2022, the government has started recording the data of EV accidents separately, so that its root causes can be reached and safety standards can be made more stringent in future. If you use an electric vehicle, use only a charger certified by the company and avoid parking the vehicle in direct sunlight for long periods of time in summer.
(PHOTO-FILE)
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