An in depth name was averted yesterday as a Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Company (BMTC) electrical bus EiV 12 went up in flames on the Bidadi depot (49). Fortunately, there have been no experiences of accidents.
The bus, recognized as a BMTC Change Mobility (AL) non-AC electrical bus, a subsidiary of Ashok Leyland, caught fireplace whereas stationed on the depot. Big clouds of black smoke crammed the air as individuals stood aloof.
The causes of the hearth usually are not often called of now, as no official assertion has been launched by the Managing Director of BMTC Mr. Ramachandran R.
A BMTC Change (AL) non-AC electrical bus caught fireplace at Bidadi depot (49). No accidents have been reported@BMTC_BENGALURU pic.twitter.com/coxy0UM8kO
— ChristinMathewPhilip (@ChristinMP_) April 5, 2024
Electrical Bus Fireplace Accidents in India
Effectively, this isn’t the primary time such an incident has been reported. In 2022 the same report got here from Hyderabad the place the electrical bus was ablaze.
Specs of EiV 12 Electrical Bus of Change Mobility
EiV 12 Extremely-low entry
EiV 12 Customary
Everlasting Magnet Synchronous AC Motor; 235 KW Peak, 140 KW Steady; 3100 Nm PeakEverlasting Magnet Synchronous AC Motor; 235 KW Peak, 140 KW Steady; 3100 Nm PeakSuperior Lithium-Ion NMC chemistry with Modular battery choicesSuperior Lithium-Ion NMC chemistry with Modular battery choicesFull Air SuspensionFull Air Suspension300 km with a single cost and as much as 500 km/day with twin gun charging300 km with a single cost and as much as 500 km/day with twin gun chargingCost: 1.5-3 hoursCost: 1.5-3 hours
*The one distinction between these two variants is the size*
Why do Electrical Buses catch Fireplace?
There isn’t any concrete purpose as to why this occurred however let me guarantee you that, the hearth in electrical buses may be very completely different from conventional buses.
Electrical bus fires face distinctive challenges in comparison with conventional diesel buses. The low-floor design of electrical buses, meant to enhance accessibility for passengers, necessitates putting battery packs on the roof as a substitute of throughout the chassis like passenger electrical automobiles. This roof-mounted placement, whereas permitting for simpler retrofitting of current diesel buses and doubtlessly requiring much less cooling throughout journey, poses difficulties once they have to be extinguished.
Throwing water on a roof-mounted battery pack with water throughout thermal runaway is a course of the place batteries overheat and self-ignite, proving to be a fancy job. The early observations from such incidents spotlight the regarding fee of fireplace unfold when thermal runaway happens at charging hubs, seemingly because of the roof-mounted battery placement.
What ought to be accomplished in case an electrical bus catches fireplace?
This incident underscores the significance of prioritizing security measures for the BMTC’s rising electrical bus fleet. Additional investigations are wanted to pinpoint the reason for the hearth and implement stricter protocols to forestall comparable occurrences sooner or later. The BMTC should additionally be certain that firefighters are adequately geared up and skilled to deal with electrical bus emergencies successfully.
Learn Extra: A Burning Query: How Can We Sort out Electrical Automobile Fireplace Incidents?