Hyderabad Nexon EV Fire Incident: Tata Motors Ordered to Pay Rs 16.95 Lakh Compensation to Nexon EV Owner
The Tata Nexon EV caught fire, and a consumer court in Hyderabad found Tata Motors at fault for defects in the car. The court ruled that the customer should be compensated with the full cost of the vehicle. This decision has made electric vehicle buyers worried and has cast doubt on the company’s quality standards.
Jonathan Brainard, who purchased the Tata Nexon electric car in 2022, experienced a surprising event. A fire erupted while he was driving, even though he was going at a slow speed of only 38 km per hour. This incident happened on June 1, 2023, resulting in the car being engulfed in flames. Fortunately, Brainard was able to exit the vehicle promptly once the fire started. The fire blazed so fiercely that the car doors quickly got stuck. In court, he explained how he narrowly escaped by exiting through a different door just in time to save himself.
Also Read: Tata Nexon EV Launched At Rs 13.99 Lakh With 45 kWh Battery
The person who filed the complaint picked the Nexon EV because it got a top 5-star rating in global NCAP crash tests and was listed among the safest cars in India. They were thrilled with their choice due to the promised great features, user-friendliness, and dependability. Unfortunately, within 11 months of driving the car, they encountered numerous technical issues. The main problem was that even with 18% battery left, the car wouldn’t move or switch to regular driving mode.
When the Tata Service Center checked the car, they found out the high-voltage battery was empty. They needed to replace it with a new one, but there was a wait of more than a month. They advised using the car as little as possible during this waiting period. Jonathan Brainard was unhappy to see that when the battery finally came, it was not new but a fixed version of the old one. Even though Brainard’s car was still under warranty, he expressed frustration at the unexpected repair instead of a complete replacement.
The incident occurred just 12 days after the battery was replaced. A sudden loud noise startled the owner as it came from beneath the car. Panic set in, and the owner accidentally hit a parked motorcycle and then crashed into a tree. After stopping, the owner noticed flames coming from the vehicle.
Also Read: Tata Nexon iCNG Launched At Rs 8.99 Lakh
The court order
The consumer court has made a decision in favor of the complainant after listening to both sides. They found that the car in question had a manufacturing defect. Additionally, the court noted that the actions of the other party showed unfair business practices and a lack of service quality. As a result, the court has instructed Tata Motors to provide compensation as follows.
The commission has instructed Tata Motors to reimburse you with Rs 16.95 lakh, which is the amount you paid for the car. Additionally, the commission has included a 9% interest starting from the date the complaint was lodged. Furthermore, Tata Motors has been directed to compensate you with Rs 2.5 lakh for the mental stress and physical distress experienced by Brainard.
The commission made it clear that the sum mentioned would also take care of the costs linked to the injuries suffered by the motorcyclist involved in the accident. Lastly, the commission directed Tata Motors to pay Rs 10,000 for the legal expenses that Brainard had to bear.