Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
post

Legal Protections For Consumers Dealing With Electric Vehicle Defects

- Advertisement -

Bharat Anand, Partner, along with Achint Kaur, Counsel, and Mukul Aggarwal, Principal Associate at Khaitan & Co, explore the legal protections available for faulty electric vehicles.

In India, the Electric Vehicles (EV) sector is projected to grow at a 45.5 per cent compounded annual rate from 2022 to 2030, with expected annual sales reaching 1.6 crore EVs by 2030. To manage the anticipated influx of EVs, it’s vital to address various risks, including safety and battery costs.

In terms of regulations, if a defective EV causes harm, the manufacturer or seller bears product liability, being responsible for compensating the consumer for any damage or inconvenience.

- Advertisement -

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) can enforce mass product recalls if a defect negatively impacts the environment, drivers, passengers, road users, or consumers; if the defect is reported to MoRTH; or if the product or component is faulty. To bolster EV safety, the Central Government has implemented technical standards such as AS-156 and AIS-038 (Rev 2), mandating tests for water immersion and thermal propagation and requiring smart battery management systems to prevent fires and overcharging.

These standards became mandatory from 1 October 2023 under the production-linked incentives and FAME II schemes to enhance human safety.

Globally, product liability laws in the EV sector are evolving. Courts are conducting detailed analyses to determine liability in cases involving autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles, including those with artificial intelligence and IoT technologies.

For instance, demonstrating liability in high-tech automobiles often involves proving that a reasonable alternative design could have prevented the harm, a complex technical issue. In semi-autonomous vehicles, traditional negligence theories are used to establish liability, like determining if driver inattention contributed to the defect.

In a notable case in April 2023, a California court cleared Tesla Inc of liability in Justine Hsu versus Tesla Inc, ruling that the driver did not adhere to safety norms while using autopilot technology.

To improve EV safety, Indian companies can adopt several measures to protect their reputation and revenue. Developing a product liability strategy and a defence mechanism, including real-time performance logging and predictive battery maintenance, can help identify the source of damage. Conducting compliance assessments and periodic product risk management can proactively identify and address defects.

EV companies might also include safeguards in supply and distribution contracts, providing user instructions and warnings to outline customer responsibilities. These contracts can stipulate that products are provided ‘as is’ or ‘as available’ with limited warranties and excluding any implied warranties to the extent allowed by law.

These measures cover various aspects such as merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, results obtained, indirect, consequential, incidental, special, or remote damages, and assume the risk, ensuring that the product’s suitability, safety, and performance meet intended requirements.

- Advertisement -

Most Popular Articles

Aryaman Raghuvanshi
Aryaman Raghuvanshi
Aryaman Raghuvanshi is a Journalist at EFY. His passion is to explore the future of mobility, which gets him to cover latest technologies shaping the future of automobiles and EVs. But, at times he writes on broader technologies too. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aryaman-raghuvanshi-2431b7153

Delhi Extends EV Policy To Combat Pollution, Boost Adoption

0
As Delhi chokes with its repeated hazardous AQI, Delhi extends its EV policy until March 2025 to boost electric vehicle adoption while a new...

INOXAP, ReNew Partner For Eco-Friendly Solar Cell Manufacturing

0
Boosting eco-friendly production of solar PV cells, INOXAP kicks off industrial gas supply for ReNew’s solar plant in Gujarat, claiming to drive India’s clean...

Germany Plans $2 Billion Boost For Semiconductor Industry

0
Attempting to reduce reliance on Asian suppliers under the European Chips Act, Germany might invest $2.11 billion in advanced chip factories to ensure Europe's...

Element14 Expands Sensor Portfolio With Roxspur Range From TT Electronics

0
This expansion, featuring technologies for aerospace, defense, and industrial sectors, offers customers a comprehensive selection of reliable solutions for demanding applications. element14, has announced the...

ESA Funds €34.6M For Open Cosmos’ Satellite Mission

0
Launching three satellites to study Earth's magnetic field and ionosphere, starting in 2026, the European Space Agency has sanctioned €34.6 million to Open Cosmos-led...
Andy C Mackie, Principal Engineer - Advanced Materials, Indium Corporation

“Our Multi-Alloy System Enables Solder Joints To Form At Lower Processing Temperatures Without Sacrificing...

0
Liquid metal-based thermal solutions offer efficient cooling but face challenges like spillage and reliable thermal resistance in ultra-thin layers. Akanksha Sondhi Gaur and Nijhum...
S.K. Yadav of RIGOL Technologies

“Our India Business Is $2 Million, With A Goal To Reach $6 Million” –...

0
In a chat with EFY’s Nitisha, S.K. Yadav of RIGOL Technologies highlights the company’s journey in India, shedding light on its growth prospects and...
Bejoy George, Managing Director- Chipmax Designs Private Limited,

“We Are Advancing R&D Projects To Develop Modular Assembly Lines With Adaptive Robotics” –...

0
How do you envision technological progressions influencing the future of manufacturing operations? Get informed from Electronics for You’s Akanksha while in dialogue with Bejoy...
Srinivas Parikshith, Co-founder of Auckam Technologies

“We Anticipate Turnover Reaching 40 Million Rupees Next Year With The New Product Line”...

0
Discussing the electronics manufacturing sector, Srinivas Parikshith, Co-founder of Auckam Technologies, talked to EFY’s Nitisha Dubey about their expansion plans to set up a...

“We Bring Intelligence Early On Into The Design Cycle” – Michel Van Cotthem VP...

0
With a solution embedding intelligence early in the design-to-source lifecycle, Supplyframe aims to leverage India’s electronics manufacturing boom. At IEW 2024, Michel Van Cotthem...

HKTDC Electronics Fair Sparks Innovation, 60,000+ Participants!

0
Showcasing cutting-edge tech, global innovation, and booming markets for the future of electronics, HKTDC’s Hong Kong Electronics Fair and electronicAsia drew 60,000+ professionals. Last month,...
Applied Materials Representational Image

Applied Materials Selects Six Startups For Deep-Tech Accelerator Programme

0
The selected deep-tech startups will be evaluated for investment by Applied Ventures and potential collaboration opportunities with Applied Materials. In collaboration with the company's India...

Space tech Startup Akash Secures $68M CHIPS Funding

0
Eyeing to power into AI, EVs, and more high-tech industries, Akash Systems lands $68 million CHIPS grant to boost its cooling tech facility, generating...

Wireless Light-Based Communication With Velmenni’s Technology

0
Velmenni is at the forefront of wireless communication innovation with its pioneering light-based technologies, Li-Fi and LC Link. Founded by Deepak Solanki in October 2014...

Harnessing AI Technology For Efficient Pest Management

0
AI-Genix, an agri-tech startup, is transforming pest management for farmers through advanced AI-enabled systems that precisely target harmful pests. In an industry where pesticides and...

Industry's Buzz

Delhi Extends EV Policy To Combat Pollution, Boost Adoption

0
As Delhi chokes with its repeated hazardous AQI, Delhi extends its EV policy until March 2025 to boost electric vehicle adoption while a new...

INOXAP, ReNew Partner For Eco-Friendly Solar Cell Manufacturing

0
Boosting eco-friendly production of solar PV cells, INOXAP kicks off industrial gas supply for ReNew’s solar plant in Gujarat, claiming to drive India’s clean...

Germany Plans $2 Billion Boost For Semiconductor Industry

0
Attempting to reduce reliance on Asian suppliers under the European Chips Act, Germany might invest $2.11 billion in advanced chip factories to ensure Europe's...

Element14 Expands Sensor Portfolio With Roxspur Range From TT Electronics

0
This expansion, featuring technologies for aerospace, defense, and industrial sectors, offers customers a comprehensive selection of reliable solutions for demanding applications. element14, has announced the...

ESA Funds €34.6M For Open Cosmos’ Satellite Mission

0
Launching three satellites to study Earth's magnetic field and ionosphere, starting in 2026, the European Space Agency has sanctioned €34.6 million to Open Cosmos-led...

Learn From Leaders

Andy C Mackie, Principal Engineer - Advanced Materials, Indium Corporation

“Our Multi-Alloy System Enables Solder Joints To Form At Lower Processing Temperatures Without Sacrificing...

0
Liquid metal-based thermal solutions offer efficient cooling but face challenges like spillage and reliable thermal resistance in ultra-thin layers. Akanksha Sondhi Gaur and Nijhum...
S.K. Yadav of RIGOL Technologies

“Our India Business Is $2 Million, With A Goal To Reach $6 Million” –...

0
In a chat with EFY’s Nitisha, S.K. Yadav of RIGOL Technologies highlights the company’s journey in India, shedding light on its growth prospects and...
Bejoy George, Managing Director- Chipmax Designs Private Limited,

“We Are Advancing R&D Projects To Develop Modular Assembly Lines With Adaptive Robotics” –...

0
How do you envision technological progressions influencing the future of manufacturing operations? Get informed from Electronics for You’s Akanksha while in dialogue with Bejoy...
Srinivas Parikshith, Co-founder of Auckam Technologies

“We Anticipate Turnover Reaching 40 Million Rupees Next Year With The New Product Line”...

0
Discussing the electronics manufacturing sector, Srinivas Parikshith, Co-founder of Auckam Technologies, talked to EFY’s Nitisha Dubey about their expansion plans to set up a...

“We Bring Intelligence Early On Into The Design Cycle” – Michel Van Cotthem VP...

0
With a solution embedding intelligence early in the design-to-source lifecycle, Supplyframe aims to leverage India’s electronics manufacturing boom. At IEW 2024, Michel Van Cotthem...

Startups

HKTDC Electronics Fair Sparks Innovation, 60,000+ Participants!

0
Showcasing cutting-edge tech, global innovation, and booming markets for the future of electronics, HKTDC’s Hong Kong Electronics Fair and electronicAsia drew 60,000+ professionals. Last month,...
Applied Materials Representational Image

Applied Materials Selects Six Startups For Deep-Tech Accelerator Programme

0
The selected deep-tech startups will be evaluated for investment by Applied Ventures and potential collaboration opportunities with Applied Materials. In collaboration with the company's India...

Space tech Startup Akash Secures $68M CHIPS Funding

0
Eyeing to power into AI, EVs, and more high-tech industries, Akash Systems lands $68 million CHIPS grant to boost its cooling tech facility, generating...

Wireless Light-Based Communication With Velmenni’s Technology

0
Velmenni is at the forefront of wireless communication innovation with its pioneering light-based technologies, Li-Fi and LC Link. Founded by Deepak Solanki in October 2014...

Harnessing AI Technology For Efficient Pest Management

0
AI-Genix, an agri-tech startup, is transforming pest management for farmers through advanced AI-enabled systems that precisely target harmful pests. In an industry where pesticides and...