A 62-year-old woman, Venkata Lakshmamma, died in Andhra Pradesh's YSR Kadapa district on Friday after the battery of an electric scooter exploded while charging at her home. The incident occurred in Potladurthi village of Yerraguntla mandal. Lakshmamma was reportedly asleep on a sofa near the two-wheeler when the explosion happened, causing severe burn injuries and immediate death. The vehicle caught fire and was completely destroyed, and some household items were also damaged.
Local police have registered a case and begun investigations into the cause of the explosion. Lakshmamma's body has been moved to the government hospital at Proddutur for a post-mortem examination.
This is the latest in a series of similar incidents in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. In 2022, approximately eight fire incidents involving e-bikes, homes, showrooms, and even a hotel were linked to exploding batteries, resulting in ten deaths and numerous injuries. A particularly devastating incident occurred in Hyderabad in September 2022, where a fire in an e-bike showroom in a multi-story building's cellar spread to a hotel above, killing eight people. Overcharging is suspected to be the primary cause of these incidents.
Other notable incidents include:
Authorities suspect that overcharging and battery faults are the primary causes of these explosions. The incidents have raised concerns about the safety of electric vehicles, particularly regarding battery management and charging practices. Consumers are urged to follow safety guidelines and avoid overcharging their vehicles, especially indoors.
