Electric vehicles have seen a significant rise in adoption across the country, but some owners have encountered serious issues. One notable case from Hyderabad involved a Tata Nexon EV that caught fire, leading the owner, Mr. Jonathan Brainard, to file a complaint with the district consumer disputes redressal commission.
In 2024, the court ruled in favor of the owner, directing Tata Motors to refund the full purchase amount of ₹16.95 lakh with 9 percent interest. Additionally, the carmaker was ordered to pay ₹10,000 to cover the owner’s legal expenses and ₹2.50 lakh as compensation for the mental agony caused to both the owner and a motorcyclist injured during the incident.
Brainard had initially enjoyed a good ownership experience, but issues with the electric SUV emerged within 11 months of purchase. The car would unexpectedly stop even with 18 percent charge remaining, and switching driving modes became difficult. Tata Motors replaced the battery with a refurbished unit, but just 12 days after the replacement, the car caught fire. The owner recounted hearing a loud sound, which caused him to crash into a stationary motorcyclist and a tree. Upon exiting the vehicle, he noticed flames from the underside, resulting in the car’s total destruction.