The adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in India has been on the rise, but some owners have faced troubling experiences. A notable case from Hyderabad involves Mr. Jonathan Brainard, who sought legal redress after his Tata Nexon EV caught fire. The district consumer disputes redressal commission of Hyderabad has now ordered Tata Motors to compensate him.

The court ruling requires Tata Motors to refund the full purchase price of Rs 16.95 lakh, along with an interest of 9%. Additionally, the company must pay ₹10,000 to cover the legal expenses incurred by Brainard and ₹2.5 lakh for the mental distress caused to both him and a motorcyclist injured during the incident.

Brainard initially enjoyed his ownership experience with the Nexon EV, but he began encountering issues within the first 11 months. He reported that the vehicle would unexpectedly stop running even with an 18% charge left, and changing driving modes often became difficult. Although Tata Motors offered a battery replacement, the new battery was refurbished, leading to further complications. Just 12 days after the replacement, the vehicle caught fire.

During the incident, Brainard reported hearing a loud sound, which prompted him to crash into a stationary motorcyclist before colliding with a tree. Upon exiting the vehicle, he discovered flames erupting from the underside, resulting in total loss of the car.

This case highlights the challenges some electric vehicle owners face and raises questions about the reliability of EV technology. The ruling serves as a significant reminder for manufacturers to prioritize safety and customer satisfaction.