Driver dies in electric vehicle fire in Nepal, cause under investigation
In Bharatpur, Nepal, a 55-year-old former school principal died in an electric vehicle fire on Friday morning while driving home. Firefighters arrived at the scene when it was already too late to save the man. Investigators have not yet determined the cause of the car fire.
As The Kathmandu Post reports, possible explanations include a charging system malfunction, a mechanical fault unrelated to the battery, damage from a previous collision, or a battery fire. Experts are not drawing conclusions until the forensic examination is completed.
Previous cases
The publication notes that the causes of two previously recorded electric vehicle fires in Nepal were not directly related to batteries. In one case, a short circuit in charging equipment was the source of the fire; in the other, an external combustible material was responsible.
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A battery fire may be linked to so-called thermal runaway. This involves damage to the separator inside a battery cell, which can be caused by an accident, a manufacturing defect, or overcharging. This can trigger a chain reaction that heats the entire battery pack.
Safety standards
The Kathmandu Post writes that Nepal has no separate mechanism for checking imported electric vehicles for compliance with international safety standards. According to the publication, more than 50 countries, including European Union member states, the United Kingdom, Japan, and South Korea, require compliance with UN Regulation No. 100. It covers battery resistance to crashes, protection against overcharging, and fire containment.
The publication called for the introduction of electric vehicle certification before importation, inspections of chargers and cables, and training for firefighters to extinguish battery fires through prolonged water cooling. Electric vehicle owners are also advised to know the location of the mechanical door release in case the electronics fail.
