Exclusive: Fire Safe Stickers To Extinguishers On-Board, New Rules For Electric Two-Wheelers

The electric two-wheeler space in India is becoming increasingly popular. Both established players and start-ups are rolling out new electric scooters almost every other month. In short, electric scooters are right now on fire! However, that can be said both figuratively and literally as well. While we would have preferred it had stopped at the former, recent incidents involving electric scooters catching on fire have raised concerns and added to the ongoing debate about the safety of electric vehicles. carandbike has now learnt that India's Transport Ministry is planning to roll out a new set of safety guidelines and regulations, specific to electric two-wheelers.

Also Read: Govt Orders Probe Into Electric Scooter Fires

Recent incidents involving electric scooters catching on fire 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 out a circular of new regulations for electric two-wheelers, to all Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) and to the SIAM (Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers). The new rules will include the following key measures, currently not required as mandatory. Once in place, the following (see below) will have to be met before an EV scooter can be sold or registered. Most rules will apply to both low speed and high-performance EV two-wheelers.

Also Read: Ola S1 Pro Electric Scooter Catches Fire In Pune

1. Fire Department Clearance:

All dealers are required to get a clearance from the nearest Fire Station and get a 'Fire Safe' certificate

All new electric two-wheelers must be cleared for safety by local fire departments at the individual state level. However, the guidelines for the same are being set by the Directorate General Fire Services, Civil Defence & Home Guards, which comes under the Home Ministry. All dealers are required to get a clearance from the nearest Fire Station and get a 'Fire Safe' certificate. This certificate needs to be uploaded on to the transport ministry's Vaahan Portal within 45 days of applying for registration, failing which, said registration will be cancelled. Spokesperson for DG Fire Services, Grishma Krishanu said, "These are new regulations, and we are working with MoRTH to appropriately frame the new guidelines. These will go into effect with this week." Customers buying a low-speed electric scooter will be exempted from this process as they are do not require registration.

Also Read: Pure EV Electric Scooter Catches Fire In Chennai

2. Fire Extinguisher Clamp/Housing:

Fire Safe Stickers To Extinguishers On-Board, New Rules For Electric Two-Wheelers

Going forward, electric two-wheeler makers are required to provide a safe housing or clamp for a small fire extinguisher on each unit. The same should not affect the vehicle's usage or alter its safety requirements. Owners will be liable in case the extinguisher is not on board the vehicle, and failure to keep one will attract a fine of Rs. 2500 from local traffic police. Vehicle manufacturers must ensure that dealers offer these portable and small-sized fire extinguishers as standard equipment. This will be mandatory when the vehicle goes for the above-mentioned certification inspection at the fire station. It is too early to know whether these additional costs will be absorbed by the OEMs 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 (pollution under control) certificates, these FSCs will have a validity of 1 year and will 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 carry out a quick safety check and provide the necessary sticker and the new certificate.

All certifications and clearances will also be available in soft formats - and users can access these through the government's DigiLocker app

EV owners will need to carry the above documents on their person or keep them stored within the boot of the vehicle. The sticker must be displayed prominently on the vehicle's facia. All certifications and clearances will also be available in soft formats - and users can access these through the government's DigiLocker app. This is in the event of a fire, where said paper format documents may perish on board the vehicle in question. Disha Nath Gatikumar, Additional Commissioner for Traffic Safety told carandbike, "We have been brought up to speed on these developments, and will implement the same across the country. There will be special training dockets for our traffic police personnel so they are quickly apprised of the new regulations, and can effectively police them."

The SIAM has as yet not commented on these new guidelines. Sources have indicated that there may be a few more regulations, added to the above list when the MoRTH and Home Ministry formally issue the new guidelines. As of now, we have been told that the circular will be posted on the MoRTH India website for the public on April 7, 2022. While the effects and feasibility of these new rules can only be understood once they come into effect, we think it's the right move towards better safety. And yes, safety is very important. What's also important is to have a bit of fun and keep your sense of humour intact, especially while reading an article like this, on April Fool's Day.

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